Stroke

Treatment of Strokes

A stroke is a serious medical condition that can lead to a victim's death. Proper medical evaluation and timely treatment by an experienced medical professional can help a patient recover fully from a stroke. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association released a statement concerning Stroke - "Time lost is brain lost." Therefore, immediate treatment is the key to saving a stroke victim's life.

Treatment Options for a stroke depend on the type of Stroke. Here are the most common and effective treatments suggested by specialists for a full recovery:

Mechanical Thrombectomy: A trained physician will insert a catheter into a large blood vessel in the patient's head. Afterward, they will use a device to pull the clot out of the vessel. A Mechanical Thrombectomy is known to be the most successful surgery when performed within 6 to 24 hours after the Stroke begins.

Stents: This procedure is performed when a doctor diagnoses weakened artery walls. Using a stent, they will perform a procedure to inflate the narrowed artery and support the artery's walls.

Medications: Doctors may prescribe specific medications to counteract the blood thinners patients have been taking.

Clot-Breaking Drugs: Taking thrombolytic drugs under the guidance of an experienced physician helps break up blood clots in the brain's arteries. The drugs help stop the Stroke if taken within the required timeline and minimize damage to the brain. It is proven that Alteplase IV r-tPA and Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the gold standard in treating Ischemic Stroke. This drug is known to dissolve blood clots at a faster pace. Additionally, a physician may prescribe drugs that can help prevent seizures, reduce blood pressure, prevent constriction of blood vessels, and reduce pressure in the brain.

Coiling: This procedure involves guiding a long tube to the site of hemorrhage or weakened blood vessels. The physician will install a coil-like device where the artery wall is weak. It blocks the flow of blood to the site, reducing bleeding.

Clamping: An aneurysm that has not started bleeding yet or has stopped can be treated with this procedure. A tiny clamp is placed at the aneurysm's base to prevent additional bleeding. The procedure cuts off the blood supply and prevents a likely broken blood vessel or new bleeding.

Surgery: Surgery is an option when an aneurysm has burst. It may be performed to clip the aneurysm and prevent additional bleeding. Doctors may also recommend a craniotomy to relieve the pressure on the brain after a large stroke.

• Symptoms and Causes