The Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services have completed an expansion of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) to include all individuals across the province who meet the criteria for this intervention. The expansion is leading to healthier outcomes for stroke patients and reducing the length of hospital stays.
EVT is a time-dependent treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke and involves the mechanical removal of large clots obstructing brain vessels to promote blood flow. This program enhancement has led to improved stroke outcomes, reduces stroke disability, and significantly shortens length of hospital stays, which makes acute care beds available sooner than expected.
The enhancements and expansion are part of the Provincial Government’s transformation of cardiovascular and stroke care in Newfoundland and Labrador.
As of January, EVT is a provincially accessible treatment for all those who meet the criteria for this intervention. To date, 87 cases of EVT have been completed throughout the province since June 2022.
The procedure is in addition to other work to help cardiovascular and stroke patients, including:
- Same day fly-in/fly-out cardiac catheterization flights, which have led to 246 patients flying to St. John’s to receive care sooner than anticipated, as of January 2025.
- The Department of Health and Community Services’ partnership with March of Dimes on the After Stroke pilot program, which has provided supports for nearly 300 stroke survivors, their family members, and caregivers.
- Ongoing planning for the new Cardiovascular and Stroke Institute facility and new acute care hospital campus in Kenmount Crossing.
- The increased use of clot-busting drugs called thrombolytics for strokes, which has increased from 10 per cent in 2018 to almost 20 per cent, the national standard, in 2023.
- 673 open heart surgeries and 95 transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures completed in 2024, which represent an increase of 22 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, compared to 2023.
- A reduction in the waitlist by 16 per cent.
Quotes
“This is good news for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who may experience a cardiovascular and stroke event. This procedure has led to positive outcomes for stroke patients and has led to shorter stays in hospital, which makes acute care beds available to other patients. This expansion is one of many steps our government is taking based on the recommendations of Health Accord NL to reimagine health care in the province.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services is pleased to offer EVT, a life-saving procedure, to individuals across Newfoundland and Labrador. We have expanded this service through the collaboration and teamwork of multiple health-care teams and providers who work together to efficiently diagnose strokes and treat patients.”
Ron Johnson
Chief Operating Officer of Eastern Urban Zone and Vice-President of Innovation and Research
NL Health Services
“This milestone is an incredible example of the Provincial Government’s and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ dedication to enhancing equitable access to care. It marks a transformative step towards delivering critical, life-saving treatments that will improve the health outcomes of stroke patients across our communities.”
Katie Greene
Senior Vice-President, Heart and Stroke, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
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