Stroke Initiative Targets Deadliest Brain Bleeds
AHA Champions New Surgical Standards for Hemorrhagic Strokes
Hemorrhagic strokes, though less common, are significantly more fatal than ischemic strokes. The American Heart Association is launching a major effort to standardize and advance surgical treatments for these devastating brain bleeds.
New Initiative Aims to Save Lives
Despite accounting for only 13% of strokes in the U.S., hemorrhagic strokes are responsible for over 40% of stroke-related deaths. Historically, a lack of consistent surgical protocols has hampered patient recovery. To combat this, the AHA is spearheading a nationwide initiative to promote effective surgical care, including minimally invasive techniques.
Minimally Invasive Surgery Shows Promise
Financially supported by Stryker, the Hemorrhagic Stroke Surgical Quality Improvement Initiative will highlight successful treatment models, such as minimally invasive parafascicular surgery (MIPS). This advanced procedure utilizes a specialized retractor to navigate brain tissue, allowing for clot removal with reduced potential for damage. Studies indicate that MIPS, when performed within 24 hours of a brain bleed, can lead to superior recovery outcomes at six months compared to traditional methods.
“The ability to share data and accelerate learning is critical to improving stroke care. Through this initiative, we hope to reduce the devastating outcomes associated with hemorrhagic stroke by improving access to surgical interventions proven to improve patient recovery.”
—Kevin Sheth, M.D., FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer, chair of the Association’s ICH Science Advisory Group and director of the Yale Center for Brain & Mind Health
Leading Hospitals Join Collaborative Effort
Fifteen hospitals across the United States will participate in a learning collaborative. These institutions will leverage data from the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke registry, which covers a substantial portion of the nation’s stroke hospitalizations. The selected sites will analyze patient care data and clinical workflows to pinpoint effective models that can be implemented nationwide.
- Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee
- Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland
- DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital in Detroit
- Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, California
- Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey
- Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis
- Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston
- Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston
- Montefiore Medical Center-Moses Campus in Bronx, New York
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania
- SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis
- The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas
- UCI Medical Center in Orange, California
- University Medical Center of El Paso in El Paso, Texas
- Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut
Hospitals were chosen based on demonstrated leadership in MIPS, readiness of their infrastructure, and a clear interest in expanding surgical options for intracerebral hemorrhage patients.
In 2023, approximately 934,000 people experienced a stroke in the U.S., with hemorrhagic strokes posing a particularly grim prognosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
The collaborative’s focus on data sharing and standardized best practices is expected to significantly improve outcomes for individuals suffering from brain bleeds.
