The mortality rate from cerebrovascular disease in Japan was the highest in the 1950s and 1960s, and it was called a national disease
However, since 1980, treatment methods have been established and early detection has become possible through health checkups, so the incidence has been on the decline
Although the incidence is on the decline, it is still a dangerous disease that can lead directly to death and is still the third leading cause of death among Japanese people
If a stroke is not treated promptly and appropriately, it can cause permanent damage that interferes with daily life and, in the worst case, can even lead to death
In this article, we will answer questions such as what kind of treatment is available if you actually suffer from a cerebral infarction, what early treatments are available for cerebral infarction, and how much it will cost
We will explain the treatment methods and costs immediately after the onset of symptoms
I hope that reading this article will help ease your concerns a little
table of contents
Acute treatment is important for cerebral infarction
If you experience a stroke, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible
If you notice anything abnormal, see a doctor immediately and take appropriate measures to improve not only the effectiveness of treatment but also your subsequent progress
Now, let's explain what treatments are available for acute cerebral infarction
drug therapy
Thrombolytic therapy
This method involves using medication to dissolve blood clots that have blocked blood vessels in the brain and restore blood flow
If the stroke occurs within four hours, the first priority is to administer a thrombolytic drug called t-PA intravenously
anticoagulation therapy
This is a treatment method that suppresses the formation of fibrin clots by administering drugs called heparin or argatroban, which suppress the action of blood clotting factors, intravenously
It is suitable for relatively large cerebral infarctions, excluding cardiogenic cerebral embolism, that occur within 48 hours of onset
Antiplatelet therapy
This is a treatment that prevents platelet thrombus formation
Medications such as ozagrel, administered intravenously, or aspirin, administered orally, suppress the activity of platelets
It is used for cerebral infarction excluding cardiogenic cerebral embolism, and is a treatment method widely chosen for acute treatment
Anti-edema therapy
This is a treatment method used for edema caused by cerebral infarction
Drugs such as glycerol and mannitol are administered intravenously
Neuroprotective therapy
This is a treatment method for nerve cell damage caused by cerebral infarction, preventing the destruction of nerve cells caused by the stroke
Edaravone can be used for any type of cerebral infarction if administered within 24 hours of the onset of the stroke, but caution is required in people with chronic kidney disease as it may cause acute renal failure
surgical treatment
Local fibrinolytic therapy
This method involves using a catheter to inject a thrombolytic agent directly into the blocked blood vessel
This is said to be an effective method because it administers medication locally to the area where the infarction has occurred
This treatment is only applicable if symptoms appear within six hours of onset
Thrombectomy therapy
In cases of cardiogenic cerebral embolism occurring within 8 hours of the onset of symptoms, a catheter may be inserted into the blood vessel to perform thrombectomy, which removes the blood clot blocking the blood vessel
This is a less invasive method as it can be performed without opening the skull
Decompressive craniectomy
This is a life-saving surgery to remove part of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain when there is widespread infarction and intracranial pressure has risen significantly due to edema
The skull is removed under general anesthesia, and once the intracranial pressure has returned to normal, a second surgery is performed to put the removed skull back in place
Rehabilitation is important after treatment
Rehabilitation is important after the acute phase
After the chaos of life and death, it would be nice to finally regain composure and take a breather,
It is also important to start rehabilitation early
By starting rehabilitation immediately after the onset of the condition, it becomes easier to improve paralysis, allowing patients to live their daily lives without any inconvenience
In addition, if you do not move your body, your physical strength and muscle power will decrease
It is difficult to regain physical strength and muscle power once it has been lost
Early rehabilitation is important to minimize aftereffects and enable patients to live an independent daily life
Of course, you can't suddenly start doing something hard, so it's important to get guidance from professional staff such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists
How much does it cost to treat a stroke?
The number of people suffering from cerebral infarction is increasing, and treatment effectiveness is improving
There are various treatment options available
However, many people are worried about the cost of treatment
Costs vary depending on the treatment method and length of hospital stay, but here we will explain the general costs
The cost of hospitalization for a cerebral infarction is approximately 170,000 yen for those who pay 10% of the cost
For those who pay 30% of the cost, it will cost approximately 500,000 yen
However, there are also high-cost medical expenses systems, and if you take advantage of such systems, the burden may be lighter than these costs
Additionally, the longer the hospital stay, the higher the costs
If you are concerned about the cost, it may be a good idea to consult with a social worker at the hospital
summary
We have explained the treatment options and costs for cerebral infarction
The basic principle for both treatment and rehabilitation of cerebral infarction is early detection and early treatment
If you feel any abnormality, please do not hesitate to see a doctor
Treatment options are available that are minimally invasive, so please consult with your doctor to select the treatment that best suits your condition
On the other hand, advances are being made in "regenerative medicine" technology, which utilizes autologous stem cells to provide treatment while reducing the burden on the body, so this is recommended for those who want to work on stroke prevention
Omotesando Helene Clinic specializes in regenerative medicine that does not put a burden on the body, and has treated over 8,000 cases both domestically and internationally. It has also received the GCR (Global Clinic Rating) certification, which proves that it exceeds international standards
"I'm curious, but I can't decide if prevention is really necessary now." You may be at risk of wandering life and death without realizing it, so Please feel free to contact us.
・Inquiry form (LINE, We Chat, email support):https://stemcells.jp/contact/
[Regenerative Medicine Outpatient] 03-3400-2277
(If you read the article and tell us that you would like to receive a free consultation, we will provide you with information.)
[References]
Kimura Tetsuya (2013) "Understanding Cerebral Infarction from Scratch"
[Reference site]
"Smart Brain Checkup" (2022)
https://smartdock.jp/contents/editor-column/ec003/
"Minds Guideline Library" (2006)
https://minds.jcqhc.or.jp/n/pub/1/pub0005/G0000068/0008
Supervision: Dr. Yasushi Tsuda