Andy Bock of Cross Plains, Wisconsin worked on his daily crossword puzzle when he experienced a life-threatening stroke caused by an artery clot in his brain stem.
As Andy and his wife, Kathy, rushed to University Hospital, Beverly Aagaard Kienitz, MD assembled her team consisting of a neuroendovascular surgery fellow, an anesthesiologist, an anesthesiology assistant, an interventional technologist and a nurse.
Being on blood-thinning medication for atrial fibrillation meant Andy could not be treated with intravenous clot-busting drugs. Instead, the team would need to perform an advanced surgical procedure to “fish out” the clot through use of micro-thin catheters.
“Less than one of every 100 stroke patients we see comes to us with a basilar artery stroke like Andy’s,” she said. “The brain stem, where his clot was found, is the highest-priced real estate in the brain. It controls breathing, body movement and almost everything we associate with quality of life.”
Fortunately, the procedure was a success.
“It’s a miracle that I came through this with no residual effects,” Andy said. “It’s because of Kathy, the EMS team, the Emergency Department, Dr. Aagaard Kienitz and her team, and God’s guidance. There are no words to fully express my appreciation.”
UW Health shared the story in a recent article.