According to reports by British researchers who spoke at the European Stroke Conference recently, they have been able to reduce the door-to-needle time it takes to reverse oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) for patients who are suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Adrian Parry-Jones, MBChB, PhD, at the Brain Injury Research Group, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust in Salford, United Kingdom, has stated that in getting rid of the many barriers for speedier therapy, they have been able to streamline the path of treatment. Parry-Jones estimates that 5-12 percent of ICH cases can be linked to the use of concomitant anticoagulants, which is what leads to the hematoma expansion and bad predictions for the patient’s future. Current UK guidelines recommend “rapid reversal of anticoagulation using prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) and vitamin K.”

During this study, researchers were trying to find out what the treatment barriers were at the comprehensive stroke center at Salford Royal Hospital. What they did was record how long it took for patients to receive key treatments insofar as the steps are concerned. They got this information from hospital records and then analyzed the treatment pathway. The researchers used information collected from 26 patients that have ICH who were receiving OAT. Researchers also analyzed “key components of the door-to-needle time for the administration of PCC were the door-to-decision, decision-to-order, order-to-collection of PCC and collection-to-administration times.”

Anticoagulant medications are generally used to help reduce episodes of AF and help prevent strokes. One of those medications is the controversial drug Multaq, which is made by Sanofi-Aventis. Multaq has been proven to be extremely dangerous. When using Multaq, patients often develop liver failure and a worsening of their heart conditions. The FDA does not recommend using Multaq unless all other drugs have failed.

If you or a loved one have developed liver failure or a worsening of your heart condition after using Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.