Defying the odds at 105 years old, a woman who suffered an ischemic stroke is now on the road to recovery, thanks to timely medical interventionlucky horse, the support of her loved ones, and her remarkable resilience.

Despite her age, the patient has managed to live a lifestyle apt for her, with only hypertension as a manageable condition. On November 11, 2024, however, her family noticed a sudden drooping of her face and slurred speech—clear warning signs of a stroke. Recognizing the urgency of her condition, her family brought her to The Medical City (TMC) Ortigas, an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital. 

TMC Ortigas’ Brain Attack Team (BAT), composed of a neurologist, a neurology resident on duty, a stroke nurse certified to administer the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and an interventional neurosurgeon, immediately saw and assessed the patient as every moment of delay risked further brain damage. BAT facilitated a series of diagnostic tests for the patient, including an MRI scan, confirming an ischemic stroke caused by a large blood clot obstructing blood flow to the brain. Ideally, the patient should have undergone an angiography via a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) or a computed tomography angiogram (CTA) to visualize which blood vessels are occluded. However, the patient’s age makes it a riskier assessment. 

Dr. Victor Erwin D. Jocson, TMC’s Interventional Neuroradiologist, promptly performed a mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove the clot and restore blood flow to the affected part of the brain. Using advanced imaging and precise techniques, Dr. Jocson was able to extract the clot from the patient’s blood vessels, restoring blood flow within minutes and preserving critical brain functions.

The successful procedure marks the patient as the oldest recorded recipient of a mechanical thrombectomy. Based on published literatures, the previous oldest patient to undergo this procedure was 102 years old.

Now, TMC’s patient is on the road to recovery supported by her dedicated family and a team of expert physicians. TMC Ortigas’ Institute of the Neurological Sciences employs a multidisciplinary team approach, ensuring that the patients receive all the help they need to achieve their optimal state of health. 

In an interview, Dr. Marc Joseph Oliver V. Buensalido, the patient’s attending neurologist, shared that the team of medical professionals looking after her have developed a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that includes physical therapy, regular follow-ups, and personalized care to help her regain strength and mobility. 

“There are no guidelines specific for 105-year-old stroke patients, but with a careful evaluation of her individual situation and risk factors, we were able to safely perform a critical procedure ensuring a better outcome,” Dr. Buensalido shared, highlighting the personalized approach to stroke care at TMC. 

“The road to recovery will be long. But with the early intervention using MT, she has a significantly better chance of remaining functional and active. Looking forward to seeing her at 106 years old and beyond,” he added. 

Aldrin Santiago, one of the patient’s family members, shares how much their family cherishes every moment they now have with her.

We are truly grateful,” Aldrin said. “While we don’t want her to suffer further, we also don’t want to live with regret knowing there’s a viable treatment we can still provide—and we are thankful we decided to do it. This decision was made after Dr. Jocson thoroughly explained the risks and benefits, which gave us confidence and clarity.”

A Center of Excellence in Stroke Care

TMC Ortigas stands out as one of the few hospitals in the country equipped to perform mechanical thrombectomy. Its expertise in this field was recently recognized with a 5-star rating from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN), highlighting the hospital’s expertise in performing such procedures. SVIN is an international medical organization that works to improve patient care by promoting education, conducting research, and sharing the latest medical techniques and technologies with healthcare professionals worldwide. This recognition highlights TMC Ortigas’ position as a leader in stroke care.

For more information about The Medical City’s Stroke Care, send them a message on Facebook or call 8988-1000, 8988-7000 ext. 6281, or +63 908-862-7246.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by The Medical City.

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