Treatment Options
Comprehensive Stroke Treatment, Rehabilitation Can Restore Quality of Life
Holy Cross Germantown Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital have met or exceeded high standards of stroke care that result in improved outcomes — and increased quality of life for patients. We deliver holistic care focused on the physical and emotional effects of stroke and the impact a stroke can have on families, work, and everyday activities.
The stroke care team may include the following specialists, depending on a patient's needs: Stroke physicians; a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician; a stroke nurse practitioner; critical care nurses; physical and occupational therapists; a social worker; a nutritionist; a diabetes educator; home care specialist.
Clot-Busting Therapy
Stroke care begins in the Emergency Center, where patients may receive acute stroke treatment that can minimize the disabling effects of stroke. Treatment may include interventional therapies used to break up blood clots that form in the brain during a stroke and improve or restore blood flow to the brain.
Some patients are candidates for tPA therapy (tissue plasminogen activator). tPA is a "clot-busting" drug delivered intravenously to dissolve clots that occur during ischemic strokes, the most common type.
Interventional Neuroradiology Techniques
Neurointerventions are used to treat both Ischemic and Hemorrhagic stroke.
Thrombectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove blood clots from a blocked brain artery for acute ischemic stroke. A small incision is made in a patient's leg during the procedure where a catheter is inserted into an artery. Using real-time 3-D images as a guide, the catheter is maneuvered to the exact location of the blockage where the clot will be removed and blood flow to the brain will be restored.
There are additional Endovascular techniques also used to treat brain blood vessel abnormalities that can burst and cause bleeding into the brain. A small incision is made in a patient's leg during the procedure where a catheter is inserted into an artery. Using real-time 3-D images as a guide, the catheter is maneuvered to the exact location of the arteriovenous malformations (AVM) or dural arterial-venous fistulae site then liquid plastic is placed into the site and forms a barrier to block off the abnormal vessels to prevent rupture.
In addition, this same Endovascular technique is also used to coil brain aneurysms to prevent bleeding into the brain. A small incision is made in a patient's leg during the procedure where a catheter is inserted into an artery. Using real-time 3-D images as a guide, the catheter is guided to the exact location of the aneurysm then coiling is placed inside the aneurysm to prevent rupture.
Surgery as well may be required depending on if the stroke is life-threatening.
Rehabilitation
Early in the treatment process, patients are evaluated by the physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. This specialist develops a recovery plan to help patients reach the highest level of functioning possible. The plan considers each patient's immediate needs and their long-term goals and may include physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Patient Education
Patient education is also an important part of the recovery process. When needed, social workers, nutritionists, and diabetes educators will work with patients to reduce the risk of a second stroke.
Home Care
Patients who require continued care and rehabilitation after they leave the hospital are also connected with outpatient therapy and home care.
Innovations in Stroke Care
Watch our experts discuss stroke symptoms, risk factors, innovative treatment options, and recovery.