STROKE CARE

Comprehensive Stroke Treatment

Rapid, specialized intervention for cerebrovascular emergencies — when every minute matters.

Understanding

Understanding Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a portion of the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage or a rupture. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes, making rapid treatment essential.

Ischemic stroke — the most common type — occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying the brain. This accounts for approximately 87% of all strokes.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue. Both types require immediate medical attention.

Understanding stroke — illustration of brain blood flow
Symptoms

Recognizing an Ischemic Stroke: Know the Signs

Stroke symptoms appear suddenly. Knowing the warning signs can save a life — including your own. The faster you act, the better the chances of recovery.

F
Face Drooping
Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Ask the person to smile — is the smile uneven?
A
Arm Weakness
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms — does one drift downward?
S
Speech Difficulty
Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
T
Time to Call 911
If you see any of these signs, even if they go away, call 911 immediately. Note the time symptoms first appeared.

BE FAST also includes Balance (sudden loss of balance or coordination) and Eyes (sudden vision loss in one or both eyes). Any sudden neurological symptom warrants emergency evaluation.

Recognizing stroke symptoms and FAST acronym
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When to Call 911
If you or someone near you shows signs of stroke, call 911 IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait. Do not drive yourself. Every minute matters — brain cells die by the millions each minute blood flow is blocked. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery.
Treatment

What is Thrombectomy?

Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that physically removes a blood clot from a blocked artery in the brain. It is the gold standard treatment for large-vessel ischemic strokes and can dramatically improve outcomes when performed quickly.

1
Access
A small catheter is inserted through an artery in the groin or wrist and guided to the blocked vessel in the brain using real-time X-ray imaging.
2
Clot Removal
A specialized stent retriever or aspiration device is deployed at the clot site to capture and remove the blockage, restoring blood flow.
3
Flow Restoration
Once the clot is removed, blood flow is immediately restored to the affected area of the brain, potentially reversing stroke symptoms.
4
Recovery
Patients are monitored closely after the procedure. Many experience significant improvement, especially when treatment is delivered promptly.
Thrombectomy procedure illustration
Outcomes

Benefits of Thrombectomy

Dramatically improves outcomes for large-vessel strokes
Can be performed up to 24 hours after symptom onset in selected patients
Minimally invasive — no open brain surgery required
Preserves brain function and reduces long-term disability
Shorter recovery time compared to traditional surgical approaches
Benefits of thrombectomy procedure
Urgency

Time Is Brain

In stroke care, every minute counts. Approximately 1.9 million brain cells die each minute that blood flow is blocked during an ischemic stroke. The longer treatment is delayed, the greater the permanent damage.

The gold-standard treatment window for mechanical thrombectomy has been extended to 24 hours in carefully selected patients, but outcomes are significantly better the earlier treatment begins. That is why it is critical to call 911 at the first sign of stroke — do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own.

Our neurovascular team is available 24/7 for stroke emergencies, with rapid-response protocols designed to minimize time-to-treatment and maximize recovery potential.

Time is brain — urgency of stroke treatment
Prevention

Preventing the Next Stroke: Carotid Artery Stenting

Many strokes are caused by narrowing of the carotid arteries — the major blood vessels that supply the brain. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a minimally invasive procedure that opens narrowed arteries and places a stent to keep them open, reducing the risk of future strokes.

Our team offers CAS along with transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) — innovative approaches that combine the benefits of stenting with lower complication rates. Learn more about these treatments on our Carotid Disease page.

Carotid artery stenting procedure illustration
Frequently Asked Questions

Stroke questions, answered

Related Conditions

AneurysmRuptured aneurysm causes hemorrhagic strokeCarotid DiseaseCarotid stenosis causes ischemic strokeCerebral AngiographyDiagnostic imaging for stroke

Time is brain. Don't wait.

If you or a loved one experiences stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. For consultation about stroke prevention, contact our neurovascular team.

Contact UsCall (833) 4-CORTEX