New drug could help in crucial time during stroke

UC expert featured in MSN story

The University of Cincinnati's Joseph Broderick was featured in an MSN story highlighting the FASTEST trial testing a drug to treat stroke due to intracerebral hemorrhage, when blood vessels in the brain rupture and cause bleeding in the brain.

The FASTEST trial will examine the effectiveness of a drug to help “plug the leak” of bleeding in the brain from intracerebral hemorrhage, Broderick said. The drug is a clotting protein our bodies naturally make to help seal leaks from blood vessels, for example when we get a cut on our skin.

“We looked at people who were within the very early time windows within the first couple hours after onset, that’s when the drug seemed to have its greatest benefit,” said Broderick, MD, professor in UC’s Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine in the College of Medicine, director of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and a UC Health physician. "We wanted to make sure we could treat people within two hours."

Read or watch the MSN story, originally published on Lake Charles, Louisiana news station KPLC.

Featured photo at top of UC Health's mobile stroke unit courtesy of UC Health.

Remember how to identify a stroke

Because of the quick onset of stroke, it is important to know the FAST mnemonic device that details the most common signs of stroke and how to respond:

  • F: Facial drooping
  • A: Arm or leg drop, or weakness in the arm or leg
  • S: Speech issues, such as slurred speech or an inability to get your words out
  • T: Time is of the essence; call 911 immediately

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