TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Only 6.7% of acute ischemic stroke patients in Taiwan receive intravenous thrombolysis, a time-sensitive therapy that uses medication to dissolve blood clots blocking blood flow to the brain, the Taiwan Stroke Society said Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Taipei on World Brain Day, Taiwan Stroke Society Chair Chan Lung (陳龍) said 76% of patients with acute ischemic stroke miss the 4.5-hour emergency treatment window in Taiwan. Ischemic stroke, caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain, is the most common type of stroke in the country, accounting for about 75% of cases, according to CNA and Ton-Yen General Hospital.
For ischemic stroke patients, early treatment is crucial. However, Chan said the low treatment rate is not only due to delays before patients reach hospitals but also to the time needed for examinations and decision-making after arrival.
Medical teams must complete examinations, brain imaging scans, and obtain family consent before starting treatment, Chan said. He added that a shortage of medical staff has contributed to longer emergency department waiting times.
Family members may hesitate because they are concerned about possible side effects, including the risk of brain bleeding. Chan said studies show that about 6% of patients receiving clot-dissolving therapy may experience symptomatic brain hemorrhage, which can worsen symptoms or lead to permanent disability.
Delays in treatment can also significantly affect recovery. Chan said every 10-minute delay in administering clot-dissolving medication can cost patients about two months of healthy life, while giving treatment 15 minutes earlier increases the chance of a full recovery by 10% and reduces in-hospital mortality by 4%.
He added that newer clot-dissolving drugs could help speed up treatment. Unlike older versions that required a one-hour intravenous infusion and continuous monitoring, newer drugs can be injected within 5 to 10 seconds without an IV drip, easing pressure on emergency departments and helping transfers from rural areas.
Chan said more efforts are still needed as Taiwan’s aging population faces growing health challenges. Along with adopting new technology and improving treatment procedures, he called for greater public awareness of stroke symptoms such as facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body, and slurred speech.