Dileep Yavagal, M.D., is Chief of Interventional Neurology at UHealth, part of the University of Miami Health System. For more information about stroke and stroke services, click here or visit the UHealth Collective:
MEET ISABEL SULLIVAN:
Ten years ago, Isabel Sullivan suffered a stroke at the age of 26.
“I had the classic symptoms of stroke, facial droop, arm paralysis, slurred speech,” Isabel says.
Thankfully her husband called 911. EMS rushed her to UM/Jackson Comprehensive Stroke Center, where Dileep Yavagal, M.D., and his team were waiting to treat her.
“A stroke is a sudden blood vessel problem in the brain. That leads to a sudden cutoff of oxygen and glucose. For every minute of a lack of blood flow, two million brain cells die,” says Dr. Yavagal.
When it comes to having a stroke, it’s important for all of us to remember the acronym BE-FAST. B for balance, E for eye changes, F for facial drooping, A for arm weakness, S for speech and T for time.
“Time is brain. If you don’t restore blood flow as soon as possible, the tissue surrounding that core keeps dying over time,” Dr. Yavagal says.
Dr. Yavagal performed a thrombectomy – a procedure that quickly removes the clot.
“We can do that in as less as 10 to 15 minutes and basically restore blood flow. It’s a medical plumbing that you end up doing in a very sophisticated manner that is extremely safe and effective, but it’s turned out to be one of the most powerful treatments in all of medicine. 50% of patients who get thrombectomy in time can expect to be independent at three months,” says Dr. Yavagal.
“I remember being in the post-operating room laying on the bed and opening my eyes and being able to talk, and tears just started flooding down my face because I couldn’t believe that I could talk,” Isabel says.
Isabel’s stroke was caused by a hole in her heart or a PFO, a common cause of strokes in younger people. The UHealth team closed the hole and now she and her husband are expecting their second child! She is forever grateful to Dr. Yavagal and shares this life-saving advice.
“Call 911. Don’t wait. Don’t drive yourself to the ER. Just call 911. I’m very fortunate to have met Dr. Yavagal, and to have him be the one who saved my life,” says Isabel.
FOCUSING ON YOU
Focusing on You: Innovations in Modern Medicine is a series of healthcare-related stories airing regularly on WPLG Local 10. For more stories like this one, visit YouTube channels for UHealth, the University of Miami Health System.