Stroke

A stroke or “brain attack" occurs due to injury of a blood vessel in the brain.

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Types-of-stroke-Atherosclerosis-Ischemic-Hemorrhagic

What is a stroke?

Arteries are the most important blood vessels for normal brain function and are responsible for carrying oxygen and other nutrients to healthy tissue. When that blood flow is interrupted, brain tissue becomes damaged and can even die.

There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is the most common type and occurs due to a blockage within a brain artery. This can happen due to a blood clot traveling from another part of the body, such as the heart or the carotid arteries in the neck (called an embolus), or it may result from plaque buildup within the arteries of the brain (called atherosclerosis). This can result in sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, difficulty understanding or producing speech, and loss of vision.

Once a stroke has occurred, there are multiple potential treatment options depending on when the stroke occurred, the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), and the location of the stroke.
 
For ischemic strokes, there are clot-busting drugs that can be administered through an IV to help dissolve blood clots.
 
For large blood clots within the main arteries of the brain (called large vessel occlusion), tPA only works about 20% of the time, and additional treatments may be required. Most commonly, this involves a procedure called a thrombectomy in which a catheter is inserted into an artery of the wrist or leg and advanced into the brain to the site of the blockage.
 
Using X-Ray guidance, a suction device or stent is used to remove the blood clot from the brain’s artery and restore normal blood flow. This has been shown to give stroke patients the best chance at recovery.

There are many steps one can take to decrease the chances of having a stroke.This includes stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating a well-balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and having a yearly evaluation with your primary care physician to ensure your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure are within a satisfactory range.

 

Depending on your personal medical history, additional screening testing, such as a carotid ultrasound, may be obtained.

MRA’s team of neuro-interventional radiologists has dedicated fellowship training in performing these procedures safely and effectively.
 
We use advanced neuroimaging techniques, including artificial intelligence, to diagnose stroke and ensure patients have access to the latest treatment modalities.
 
In conjunction with specialty-trained neurologists and neurosurgeons, we are proud to offer stroke care 24/7, 365 days a year, to the residents of Charlotte and the surrounding communities.

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One of our expert Interventional Radiologists will personally review your case with you, and discuss whether an intervention is the right option for you.

Patients, please note that services may require a referral from your primary care or another provider, but we can help facilitate that process if treatment is deemed necessary. Telehealth consultations may be available depending on the type of procedure required.