Centre for Brain and Nervous System

What is a stroke or brain attack?

A stroke or brain attack occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (blood vessel carrying blood from heart to the brain) or an artery ruptures, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.

What are the risk factors for stroke?

The common risk factors are hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, high alcohol intake, and positive family history.

How to identify a stroke or brain attack?

Look for these simple signs (Act FAST) to identify stroke early so that appropriate treatment can be started as soon as possible.

FACE  
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS 
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downwards?

SPEECH 
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?

TIME 
 If a person shows any one or more of these symptoms, time is important. Get to the hospital fast. Brain cells die every minute.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has established a comprehensive stroke care programme for the management of acute and chronic stroke patients.

Stroke Care Team at Kokilaben Hospital

Acute stroke service
Acute stroke service is an integrated programme which is activated as soon as we get a call that someone is having symptoms suggestive of stroke or is brought to emergency services of our hospital. The Code Stroke Plan includes stroke ambulance, emergency care services, neuro-imaging, neurological intensive care unit, neuro-intervention services, neurosurgical services and a dedicated stroke unit.

First time in the city we are offering comprehensive acute neurointervention services under a single roof consisting of intravenous stroke thrombolysis for patients presenting in 4.5 hours of onset, intra-arterial stroke thrombolysis within 6 hours and mechanical clot withdrawal (Penumbra device) for those coming within 8 hours of the onset of stroke.

Angiogram of mechanical clot retrieval by Penumbra device
A dedicated stroke unit has been set up under guidance of a stroke neurologist which will provide comprehensive stroke care services. This will provide cardio-respiratory monitoring and specialized stroke nursing services.

Stroke OPD
A dedicated stroke OPD is set up consisting of stroke neurologist and stroke rehab specialist to provide preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation services. This will function twice a week on Tuesday & Friday, 3-6p.m.

Comprehensive Stroke Package
Two appointments with stroke neurologist, two appointments with stroke rehab specialist, 20 rehab sessions and complementary membership of stroke support group.

Stroke Prevention Package
A comprehensive risk factor reduction by lifestyle modification, smoking cessation, exercise, stress management and medications will be provided to prevent first ever stroke in persons with risk factors and transient ischemic attacks and re-stroke in those who had one.

What is Stroke Rehabilitation Programme?
Stroke rehabilitation (rehab) is a medically supervised program that provides optimal environment for recovery, functional improvement and reduction in secondary complications and disability. It provides compensatory strategies, appropriate equipment & modifications and continuity of care so that the stroke survivor can reach maximum possible level of functional independence.

What is the need for Stroke Rehabilitation Programme?
Stroke Rehabilitation (rehab) Programme helps the normal surrounding brain to take up the function of the damage area.

What are the facilities for Stroke Rehabilitation at Kokilaben Hospital?

Multidisciplinary team
The Multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation medicine specialist (physiatrist), stroke neurologists, rehab nurses, physical & occupational therapist, psychologist, biomedical engineer, orthotist, nutritionist and medical social worker provide integrated services.

Technology
Latest cutting edge technology is available that can match with any of the rehabilitation facilities across the globe. The key technologies are:

• Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory
• Balance Assessment and Training System (BATS)

Stroke and Paralysis Support Group
You can make a difference in your life or in the life of your dear one suffering from stroke by joining the Stroke and Paralysis Support Group. We meet every Second Saturday of the month at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

Stroke Care Team at Kokilaben Hospital

Dr. Shirish M Hastak - Stroke Neurologist (Incharge of Stroke Service)

Dr. Mihir Munshi - Radiologist

Dr. Abhishek Srivastava - Stroke Rehab Specialist

Dr. Vatsal Kothari - Critical Care Medicine

Dr. Sanjay Mehta - Emergency Physician

Dr. R. Sekhar - Vascular Surgeon

Dr. Vimal Someshwar - Interventional Radiologist

Dr. Abhaya Kumar - Neurosurgeon

Dr. Manish Shrivastava - Interventional Radiologist

Sheryl Soans - Stroke Nurse

Dr. Darshana Sanghavi - Radiologist

Back