Stroke

Stroke patients are assessed quickly in the emergency department by a specialized stroke team that includes vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, and emergency physicians.

In patients with an “ischemic stroke” (i.e., no blood is seen on their initial CT scan) who arrive in time, a clot-busting medication called tPA can be used to open blocked arteries.

In patients with hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain), control of blood-clotting factors, blood pressure, and even emergency surgery might be needed.

After initial treatment, patients are either admitted to a dedicated stroke unit or may first require critical care in our neurointensive care unit.  

Surgical Treatments

Some patients need emergency surgery to treat blocked or bleeding brain blood vessels.

Our neurosurgeons are fellowship-trained to use special catheters (tiny tubes) and devices to open blocked brain arteries to restore blood flow to the brain.

Following recovery from stroke, our cerebrovascular neurosurgeons can perform surgery or stenting to open a narrowed artery that caused the initial stroke, helping prevent future problems.

Patients with stroke caused by leaking blood vessels (such as burst brain aneurysms or AVM) may require embolization, which uses wires and catheters inside the arteries, and/or open brain surgery.

Recovery & Rehabilitation

Our multidisciplinary stroke team helps manage all aspects of recovery. 

While some patients recover within days, it is not unusual for recovery to take weeks to months.

To help stroke patients recover to their maximum potential, each patient is evaluated for their physical, occupational, and speech therapy needs, along with intensive rehabilitation and preventative care to minimize chances of a future stroke. 

Neurological rehabilitation may consist of physical or occupational therapy, medicine prescription, modalities, orthotics / bracing, speech and language therapy, or neuropsychology and referrals to other disciplines when needed.