Hamad Medical Corporation’s Neuroangiography Suite, officially opened in April this year, has improved outcomes for dozens of stroke patients admitted to Hamad General Hospital (HGH).

“Every day, around five new stroke patients are admitted to HGH,” said professor Ashfaq Shuaib, director of HMC’s Neurosciences Institute.

In little more than six months since opening the suite, almost 50 stroke patients have undergone emergency clot removal procedures at the facility,” he recalled.

“The opening of the Neuroangiography Suite has enabled us to deliver a more accurate and advanced treatment technique to patients with the most acute strokes,” professor Shuaib stated.

One of the key strengths of the technology within the Neuroangiography Suite is the advanced bi-plane angiography CT imaging.

“This imaging technique allows us to view the inside of blood vessels and organs of the body, especially the arteries, veins and heart chambers,” said Dr Ahmed Own, chairman of Neuroradiology at HMC.

“These views are captured simultaneously by the imaging technology, resulting in highly detailed three-dimensional views of blood vessels leading to the brain and deep within the brain,” he explained.

The advanced imaging available to the neuro-interventional team gives them the very best view of the arteries and vessels and allows them to see the precise location and make up of a clot while they perform the procedure.

This imaging technique has proved invaluable for the treatment of stroke patients, as Prof Shuaib explained: “For the brain to function, it needs a constant supply of blood to deliver vital nutrients and oxygen to the brain cells. A stroke occurs when this supply is impaired or cut off – usually a result of a clot.”

“To successfully treat stroke patients who have a clot in either the main artery to the brain or in the tiny vessels deep within the brain, we must remove the clot as quickly and effectively as possible. The Neuroangiography Suite has significantly improved our ability to do this,” added professor Shuaib.