‘Time lost is brain lost’: How more stroke patients are being saved in Tasmania

Tasmanians suffering a stroke are being treated faster than ever before thanks to a lifesaving new service at the Royal Hobart Hospital. It is already saving the lives of people like Paul. READ HOW IT WORKS >>

Time lost is brain lost for stroke victims like Paul, but Tasmanians suffering a stroke are being treated faster than ever before thanks to a lifesaving new service at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

A dedicated full-time team, headed by two doctors specialising in interventional neuroradiology (INR), has been increasing in size and stability at the RHH since late 2020.

Doctors Martin Bañez and Hayden Bell – as well as scores of specialist staff – are now available 24/7, 365 days a year, to provide a critical “clot retrieval” surgery to patients who have just suffered a stroke.

RHH’s clinical director of radiology Professor Parm Naidoo said the team has saved dozens of lives with the surgery.

“Together now, they have treated approximately 120 patients for acute stroke, preventing significant disability and, on occasions, preventing death,” Mr Naidoo said.

“Prior to this service being established, one of the few options for these patients was to be airlifted to Melbourne.

“Not infrequently, by the time they reached Melbourne, it was too late.

“We say time lost is brain lost, so that’s why it’s so critical that these guys are here around the clock providing this excellent service.”

Stroke patients previously had to be airlifted to Melbourne to receive the critical surgery. Picture Chris Kidd

Dr Bañez said the surgery involves a doctor making a small incision in one of the blood vessels near the groin, threading a thin tube up to the brain and using a small device to suction the clot out.

“The hope is that we’re able to restore the blood flow to the part of the brain that is affected by the stroke,” Dr Bañez said.

“Time is brain and you really want to be able to get this procedure done as soon as possible if you can.

“You lose brain tissue every second that you have that clot.”

Dr Bañez and Dr Bell have been supported by two doctors from the Austin Hospital in Melbourne, who sometimes tune into surgeries in real-time to offer assistance.

Prior to the launch of this service, it was “luck of the draw” whether an INR specialist was visiting the hospital when a stroke patient arrived in desperate need of surgery.

Paul Calvert recently suffered a stroke at home but credits this service with saving his life.

“Thanks to Martin Bañez, I’m standing here alive today,” Mr Calvert said.

He was assessed by the team and within hours was undergoing surgery.

Doctor Martin Bañez with stroke survivor Paul Calvert at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Doctor Banez treated Paul after his stroke. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“And in two days, I was home again,” he said.

“I’m a survivor … thanks to the professional team that works here.”

Mr Calvert said he even has a diagram at home, explaining his procedure.

“I think it’s quite amazing what they do and we’re very lucky here in Tasmania to be able to have access (to this service),” he said.

“The treatment I received here is second to none.”

Dr Bañez said he feels “honoured and privileged” to provide this critical service to Tasmanians.

“It’s extremely fulfilling work and to be able to see patients like Paul come home to their families makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Time lost is brain lost’: How more stroke patients are being saved in Tasmania