Detecting blood clots in time: Importance of Stroke prevention
According to the World Health Organization, stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability.1 Stroke is a severe and often life-threatening medical condition that occurs when there is a disruption in the blood supply to the brain. One of the leading causes of stroke is the formation of blood clots. Timely detection of blood clots is crucial for preventing stroke and minimizing its devastating effects.
When a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel in the brain, it can cause an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke is the most common and occurs when the brain doesn’t receive enough blood and oxygen, leading to brain cell damage or death. The severity of the stroke depends on factors such as the size of the clot and the duration of reduced blood flow.
Why is timely detection essential?
Here are a few reasons why early detection is crucial:
- Stroke prevention: Identifying and treating blood clots before they lead to a stroke can significantly reduce the risk of severe neurological damage or death
- Minimized brain damage: Prompt diagnosis and treatment can limit the extent of brain damage and improve the chances of recovery in cases of stroke
- Reduction of recurrence: Identifying the underlying causes of blood clot formation can help prevent future clotting episodes and reduce the risk of recurrent strokes.
Diagnosing and evaluating stroke
The initial step is to identify whether a person is experiencing an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, to begin the appropriate treatment. A CT scan or MRI of the head and Doppler ultrasound is carried out to detect the presence, type, and location of the blood clot.
Several other techniques and tests are employed for detecting the risk of developing blood clots in a person. The choice of method depends on the patient’s symptoms and medical history. The following are the common methods used:
Blood Tests:
- D-dimer Test: Elevated levels of D-dimer, a substance released when a blood clot breaks down, may indicate the presence of a clot.
- Coagulation Profile: This test assesses various factors involved in blood clotting, helping identify clotting disorders.
Several blood biomarkers are used to aid clinical decisions.2 These include the following:
- Cardiac troponin
- Creatine kinase
- D-dimer
Various risk assessment tools can be used to determine the risk of blood clots in patients.
Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd. offers highly specific and sensitive Erba D-dimer reagent kits and an exclusive range of ECL Coagulation analyzers, ECL 760, ECL 105, and ECL 412, which help evaluate the clotting risk.
References:
- https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/detail/28-10-2021-world-stroke-day
- Dagonnier M, Donnan GA, Davis SM, Dewey HM, Howells DW. Acute Stroke Biomarkers: Are We There Yet?. Front Neurol. 2021;12:619721.
