What Treatments Exist for Stroke?

Treatment during a stroke

Medication or drug therapy is the most common treatment for a stroke. The only drug currently approved by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) is a thrombolytic agent called tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA). This is often referred to as "clot buster" medication. tPA must be given within the first three hours of the first sign of a stroke. This is why it is important to seek medical help immediately!

preventive treatment

• Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets - Antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, and anticoagulants such as warfarin interfere with the blood's ability to clot and can play an important role in preventing stroke. Please check with your doctor before starting any medications.
• Carotid Endarterectomy - Surgical removal of plaque (or fatty buildup) from the carotid artery. This will help increase blood flow to the brain and prevent strokes.
• Angioplasty/Stents - Doctors sometimes use a balloon angioplasty and implant steel screens called stents to treat cardiovascular disease. These mechanical devices are used to remove fatty buildup that is clogging the blood vessel.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Below are possible treatments to fix the ruptured blood vessel:

• Aneurysm clipping - Aneurysm clipping involves opening the skull to expose the aneurysm and placing a clip to prevent future leaking of blood from the affected artery. The goal of this surgery is to reduce the chances of a second bleed from an aneurysm, which is often fatal.
• Endovascular treatment of aneurysms - In this procedure, a radiologist passes a catheter (thin tube) through the artery to the opening into an aneurysm. Detachable platinum coils are then deposited in the aneurysm to fill it up and prevent blood from entering, eliminating the possibility of hemorrhage. Other endovascular treatments for aneurysms are being evaluated.

Rehabilitation after a stroke

Rehabilitation helps stroke survivors relearn skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged. The types and degrees of disability that follow a stroke depend upon which area of the brain is damaged. Generally, stroke can cause five types of disabilities: paralysis or problems controlling movement; sensory disturbances including pain; problems using or understanding language; problems with thinking and memory; and emotional disturbances.

For a stroke survivor, the rehabilitation goal is to be as independent and productive as possible. That may mean improving physical abilities. Often old skills have been lost and new ones are needed. It's also important to maintain and improve a person's physical condition when possible. Rehabilitation can mean the difference between returning home or staying in an institution.

Although a majority of functional abilities may be restored soon after a stroke, recovery is an ongoing process.

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