Enhanced Heart and Stroke Treatments Leading to Better Outcomes

On Wednesday there was an announcement on the enhancements to cardiac and stroke care in the province.

Enhancements include the introduction of a surgical procedure, endovascular thrombectomy, where blood clots causing stroke are removed from clinically eligible patients.

Increased use of clot-busting drugs called thrombolytics for strokes, which has increased from 10 per cent in 2018 to almost 20 per cent, the national standard, in 2023.

The expanded use of virtual heart failure management, where patients interact with a cardiology team specializing in heart failure to become stabilized on their medications through virtual appointments within nine weeks.

The reduction in hospital stays has also increased access to other patients by making acute care beds available sooner than expected.