What Does a Neurosurgeon at a Stroke Treatment Center Do?

Stroke Treatment Palm Harbor, FL

When it comes to the treatment of stroke, a stroke treatment center has the professionals and resources to provide the best level of care. Beginning treatment on time can help save the victim’s life and reduce the risk of lasting brain damage. The neurosurgeon is an expert at handling brain and spine conditions and therefore, provides treatment for affected patients at the center.

The roles of the neurosurgeon

The nature of treatment recommended by the neurosurgeon for stroke depends on the type of stroke, which is usually ischemic or hemorrhagic.

TPA for ischemic stroke victims

TPA (tissue plasminogen activator) is a clot-breaking drug that can reduce long-term disability. TPA is the only FDA-approved thrombolytic drug for acute ischemic stroke, but it must be administered to the stroke victim within four and a half hours after the stroke happens. The advantages of TPA include faster recovery, minimal neurological damage and shorter hospital stay.

TPA can be administered through IV (intravenous), usually via an arm vein or injected directly to the clot. The intra-arterial TPA procedure, which is a quicker way to get the drug to the blockage, is handled by a neurosurgeon at a stroke treatment center. The surgeon will insert a thin, flexible catheter into an artery and pass it to the blood clot in the brain. Intra-arterial treatment can be potent even up to eight hours after the first symptoms appear, prolonging the potential treatment window.

When TPA cannot be used or proves ineffective for the stroke patient, the neurosurgeon can provide additional stroke treatments, such as a stent retriever, which is a small corkscrew-shaped device that the doctor can insert into a blood vessel to catch and remove the blood clot responsible for the stroke.

Hemorrhagic stroke treatment

Every stroke patient is handled differently because no two conditions are the same, and each patient gets unique treatment depending on their symptoms. Although TPA is effective for ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes need a different approach. The neurosurgeon can treat patients with hemorrhagic stroke using technically advanced treatment options, including the following.

Endovascular treatment: A small catheter in the brain arteries can fix the aneurysm. Different methods are used based on the shape and size of the aneurysm.

Coiling: The surgeon can place small soft coils directly into the space to stop bleeding.

Stents: This involves placing metal mesh tubes in the artery across the entry to the aneurysm. These can be used together with coils or independently to redirect flow away from the aneurysm.

Aneurysm clipping is a neurosurgical treatment done to place small metal clips around the aneurysm, decreasing the size of the aneurysm and stopping bleeding in the brain. The neurosurgeon can use a stent to treat a large inoperable aneurysm.

In conclusion

At the stroke treatment center, the patient will be assigned a specialized care unit to supervise their progress and improve overall results. Stroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect that you might be having a stroke, it is important to call 911 so you can get treatment immediately.

Get more information here: https://www.brainandspineni.com or call Brain and Spine Neuroscience Institute at (813) 751-2029

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Stroke Treatment Center in Palm Harbor, FL.

Related Posts

Path To Recovery: Find Care At Our Stroke Treatment Center

With professional care from a stroke treatment center, patients can achieve relief and independence to help boost their quality of life after a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, strokes are the leading cause of disability in the United States. Few people are prepared to face the sudden event of…

Navigating Neurosurgery: Your Guide To Treatment Options

Learning that you need to undergo neurosurgery to address conditions affecting the nervous system can understandably make you feel apprehensive. However, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. Take a look at some common treatment options that our neurosurgeon may consider for your condition.Brain surgery is for those who…

What To Know When Choosing A Spine Surgeon

Sometimes, the only option available after trying every other treatment for chronic back or neck pain is to visit a spine surgeon for surgery. The pain can be severe and adversely affect your quality of life. Patients need to consider a few things before undergoing spine surgery, and one of the most important decisions is…

Five Most Common Procedures In Neurosurgery

The Journal of Neurosurgery states that about 12.8 million people worldwide require neurosurgery treatments yearly. The term "neurosurgery" refers to surgical treatments performed on the central nervous system, which consists of the spinal column, spine, and brain.These procedures might be recommended to treat various issues like herniated discs, spinal cord disorders, and nerve pain. A…

CALL US TO BEGIN YOU BRAIN OR SPINE TREATMENT AT OUR NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE TODAY