Senate Resolution No. 5314

BY: Senator SEWARD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 2018, as Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO)
Stroke Awareness Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability
in the United States, affecting more than 795,000 Americans and their
loved ones every year; and

WHEREAS, Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United
States, killing over 6,000 New Yorkers annually; stroke can happen to
anyone at any time, regardless of race, gender or age; and

WHEREAS, Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability; there are
more than seven million stroke survivors in the United States, with two
thirds living with moderate to severe disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO) strokes are some of
the most severe strokes; prompt treatment of an ELVO stroke can mean the
difference between life and death, complete recovery and severe
disability; and

WHEREAS, Advancements in medical innovation have produced
revolutionary new treatments such as tissue plasminogen activator and
thrombectomy in which highly trained stroke surgeons, in conjunction
with neurologists, treat patients suffering from ELVO strokes by
removing or dissolving the blood clot and ensuring the patients'
survival while greatly reducing long-term disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Only an estimated 10 percent of those ELVO stroke victims
who would benefit from specialized care are currently being properly
assessed, triaged and transported to level 1 stroke centers to receive
this lifesaving treatment; and

WHEREAS, New York must continue to raise awareness about
advancements in ELVO stroke treatment and provide our emergency medical
responders with the most up-to-date information about identifying stroke
patients who may have an emergent large vessel occlusion and would
benefit most from these specialized treatments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2018, as Emergent
Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO) Stroke Awareness Month in the State of New
York, and to encourage all New Yorkers to ask their doctors about stroke
prevention and the earning signs of stroke; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; Dr. Philip M. Meyers, New York Presbyterian Hospital and the
Neurological Institute of New York; Columbia University Medical Center
and Columbia Doctors; Dr. J. Mocco, Mount Sinai Health System; Dr.
Jeffery Farkas, NYU Langone Brooklyn; Dr. Adnan Siddiqui, Gates Vascular
Institute; and Dr. Athos Patsalides, Weill Cornell Medicine