When blood flow to the brain is blocked or bleeding occurs inside the brain, it can cause a stroke during anesthesia. Because the risk of a stroke is well known, medical providers must monitor vital signs, maintain stable blood pressure, prevent oxygen deprivation, and tailor care to patients.
Symptoms
- Sudden weakness on one side
- Slurred or lost speech
- Severe headache
- Vision changes
- Loss of balance
- Confusion or inability to follow commands
Because symptoms may be confused with expected post-anesthesia grogginess, medical staff must carefully monitor patients. Early detection requires maximum awareness by medical professionals.
What causes a stroke during anesthesia?
Several anesthesia-related strokes are linked directly to preventable errors. Among those errors is poor blood pressure management by the medical provider. When blood pressure drops too low or gets too high, it can trigger different types of stroke.
Other mistakes include not ensuring the patient is receiving enough oxygen, failure to manage blood clotting, improper handling of patients with known stroke risk factors, and delays in responding to cardiac events, which can all have life-altering effects.
Air embolisms, medication errors, or positioning mistakes during long surgeries can also trigger a stroke.
Serious injuries caused by a stroke during anesthesia
Patients who experience a stroke during anesthesia may experience a range of injuries, including permanent disabilities, paralysis, difficulty speaking, or chronic pain. They may also suffer from long-term cognitive problems, loss of coordination, and vision loss.
How much damage is caused by a stroke often depends on how quickly the stroke is recognized and treated by the medical staff. Without fast intervention, brain tissue can suffer irreversible harm, which may require full-time care for the patient. In severe hemorrhagic strokes, the outcome may be fatal.
When medical providers fail to fulfill their responsibilities, patients suffer injuries that could have been avoided. The emotional, physical, and financial toll of a stroke can be overwhelming, often requiring long-term rehabilitation and support.
If you or a loved one suffered a stroke while receiving anesthesia, Weisser Law is here to help you get to the bottom of your case. We will fight for you and find out exactly how and why your stroke happened.
Contact Weisser Law today to schedule your free consultation.