Stroke health care expert, neurologist Mark J. Alberts, MD, FAHA joins the Board of Advisors of the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS).
Dr. Alberts is an internationally recognized leader in the care of stroke patients. He is at the forefront of medical breakthroughs to improve the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, including new methods to treat and prevent strokes. He has been instrumental in developing national criteria for hospitals to become stroke centers.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are common peristroke complications. DVTs are found in 40 to 80 percent of stroke patients, and PEs are present in 10 to 15 percent of all stroke patients, with PEs accounting for 13 to 25 percent of early deaths after a stroke.[1]
“One key clinical practice to help prevent DVT and PE in stroke patients,” advised Dr. Alberts, “is the use of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC). The recent CLOTS 3 study showed a 29 percent reduction in life-threatening DVT — and a 14 percent reduction in overall mortality — for patients receiving IPC therapy.”
Dr. Alberts is a Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He also is Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for the Department and Medical Director of the neurology service for UT Southwestern University Hospitals.
“Dr. Alberts was a key member on the panel of renowned stroke experts that helped develop the Stroke VTE Safety Recommendations and his presentation at the recent International Stroke Conference drew a standing room only crowd of clinicians,” said Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, PPAHS). “Dr. Alberts’ stroke knowledge and compassion for caring for stroke patients will be invaluable on the PPAHS board of advisors.”
The Stroke VTE Safety Recommendations are a free resource on the PPAHS website.
[1] Kappelle LJ. Preventing DVT after stroke. Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2011; 3(6):629-635.