We have a dedicated Stroke Care team in our Emergency Department, where
a neurologist and neurosurgeon are on call, 24/7. Stroke treatment depends
on the type of stroke and the patient’s overall health.
People who come in to our Emergency Department with a suspected stroke
or transient ischemic attack are immediately evaluated and given testing,
which may include one or more of the below procedures:
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the head and neck
Carotid duplex scan (ultrasound)
Clot-busting tPA
Given early enough, medications known as "clot busters” can
stop ischemic strokes and improve patient outcomes. The only FDA-approved
drug for treatment of ischemic stroke — intravenous tPA (tissue
plasminogen activator) — can reverse stroke symptoms in select patients.
However, tPA must be given within three hours of the onset of the stroke.
Mechanical Thrombectomy
A select group of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients may be eligible
for mechanical thrombectomy, the surgical removal of a blood clot. This
procedure is used in severe cases where doctors diagnose “emergent
large vessel occlusion,” or ELVO. This means a major blockage in
a large blood vessel. Mechanical thrombectomy is performed in our
Cath Lab, and our team has saved lives through this procedure. We are currently
working to earn the designation of ELVO Receiving Center. This designation
recognizes an Emergency Department’s ability to treat acute ischemic
stroke in the Cath Lab through mechanical thrombectomy.
