Snake Venom Research Drug Can Reduce Stroke Disability

Medical College of Wisconsin researchers at Froedtert Hospital are on an international team studying the investigational drug viprinex, extracted from snake venom, which could reduce the extent of stroke-related disability.

"Time is absolutely critical during a stroke," says Michel T. Torbey, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Neurology at the Medical College and Director of the Stroke Critical Care Program at Froedtert Hospital.

"The only approved drug must be administered within three hours of stroke onset," he says. "The drug we are evaluating in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study is expected to safely reduce stroke disability when started up to six hours after stroke onset."

The study is scheduled to continue through 2008. Prospective participants must get to Froedtert Hospital within six hours of stroke onset and ask to be considered for the study, according to Dr. Torbey, who is principal investigator for the Milwaukee arm of the trial. The study drug must be given within six hours of the onset of a stroke. Currently, the only approved treatment for ischemic stroke must be given within a three-hour window after stroke onset.

"Most strokes occur at home, which makes recognition of stroke very difficult," says Dr. Torbey. "Stroke impairs cognition; so many patients don't know they are having a stroke. Stroke also impacts a patient's ability to speak, so he or she may not be able to communicate effectively. Generally, it is a loved one who recognizes the signs or knows something is wrong and calls - or should call - 911."

Signs of a Stroke

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or trouble understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden and severe headache with no known cause.

According to the American Stroke Association, someone suffers a stroke in the US every 45 seconds, and a stroke-related death occurs every three minutes. It is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Only half of all victims of acute stroke use emergency medical services for rapid transport to the hospital.

For more information call Erin Brandenburg at 414-805-8328.

MCW Health News presents up-to-date information on patient care and medical research by the physicians of the Medical College of Wisconsin.