Thiruvananthapuram: In a remarkable case of swift action and expert medical intervention, a 49-year-old police officer who suffered a major stroke was saved from severe disability, thanks to the presence of mind of his colleagues and the rapid response of doctors at SP Medifort Hospital, Eanchakkal.
The officer, fresh from duty after his night shift, was about to leave for home when he lost control of his right side and could not talk. Seeing the gravity of the situation, his colleagues rushed him to the hospital within 23 minutes of symptom onset, making sure he was given medical care within the vital ‘Golden Hour.’
At the hospital, the experienced neurologist Dr Manorama Devi K Rajan physicians diagnosed signs of a severe ischemic stroke, including high blood pressure, paralysis on the right side, and aphasia (loss of speech ability). A CT scan confirmed preservation of brain parenchyma without haemorrhage.
Game-changing Medical Response
Wasting no time, the stroke team at the hospital gave intravenous thrombolysis with Tenecteplase—a clot-buster medication—only 45 minutes after symptoms began. The effect was nearly instantaneous.
Within 20 minutes, the officer’s speech improved. His right-sided weakness improved dramatically over the ensuing few hours. By 12 hours, he had regained nearly complete motor function, and within 24 hours, he had recovered completely. A pot-thrombolysis CT angiogram revealed complete occlusion of proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) with re-canalization of left middle and anterior cerebral arteries.
The Race Against Time
As per Dr. Manorama Devi K. Rajan, Senior Consultant – Neurology, SP Medifort Hospital, early identification and quick hospital transfer were the key factors in saving the life of the officer.
Acute ICA occlusion is a very severe form of ischemic stroke, which usually results in high morbidity and mortality. But this case shows that if we respond promptly, we can salvage lives. The earlier thrombolysis is given, the more likely complete recovery is,” Dr. Rajan explained.
Medical research has consistently stressed the significance of the ‘Golden Hour’—the initial 60 minutes following stroke onset—as the most critical time for intervention. Patients treated with thrombolysis within this timeframe have a substantially greater likelihood of survival and recovery. Lack of awareness, delays in symptom recognition, and delayed hospital arrival continue to be significant challenges in stroke treatment.