Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has joined a national effort led by the American Heart Association to improve surgical treatment for hemorrhagic strokes, which are among the deadliest forms of stroke in the United States.
Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 13% of all stroke cases in the country but cause more than 40% of deaths related to stroke, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and research published in Stroke. More information on these statistics can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/data-research/facts-stats/index.html.
The Hemorrhagic Stroke Surgical Quality Improvement Initiative, supported by Stryker, aims to promote effective surgical techniques such as minimally invasive parafascicular surgery (MIPS). MIPS involves using a tubular retractor and powered instruments to remove clots while minimizing damage to brain tissue. Studies have indicated that performing MIPS within 24 hours after a brain bleed may lead to better recovery outcomes six months later compared with standard treatments. Details on this research are available at https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2308440.
“Advancing stroke care depends on our ability to share data and learn quickly,” said Dr. Scott Simon, co-medical director of the Penn State Health Comprehensive Stroke Center and professor of neurosurgery at Penn State College of Medicine. “We are proud to be the only site selected in Pennsylvania to be part of this initiative aimed at lessening the severe impact of hemorrhagic stroke and supporting better recovery for patients.”
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is one of 15 hospitals across the U.S. participating in a collaborative that will use data from the Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke registry, which tracks about three-quarters of all hospitalizations for stroke nationwide. The group will analyze clinical workflows and patient outcomes related to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) care, seeking models that could be used more widely.
Selection criteria for participation included leadership in MIPS procedures, readiness of infrastructure, and an interest in expanding surgical options for ICH patients.
Academic research conducted through Penn State College of Medicine plays a role in supporting Hershey Medical Center’s work in adopting new techniques like MIPS and contributing knowledge nationally.
More information about this initiative can be found at heart.org/ICHSurgical.
