Diagnosing and Treating Stroke

When you have a stroke, every minute counts

Hoag’s Stroke Program offers a comprehensive, rapid response approach to stroke care. With an expert stroke team, cutting-edge diagnostics, and advanced imaging technologies, Hoag ensures precise diagnosis and timely treatment, significantly improving patient outcomes. 

Why Choose Hoag’s Stroke Program?

Rapid Response Stroke Team:

• Includes ER physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, critical care physicians, and specialty-trained nurses.
• On-site neurology hospitalists and interventional neuroradiologists provide specialized care. 

Advanced Diagnostic & Treatment Techniques: 

• Fast evaluation and treatment using leading-edge technology. 
• Early intervention improves survival rates and reduces permanent damage and disability. 

State-of-the-Art Imaging Technology: 

• Multi-detector 64-slice CT and 3Tesla MRI scanners for high-resolution brain imaging. 
• Angiography & ultrasound detect blocked vessels and affected brain areas. 
• Sophisticated brain imaging provides real-time insights into brain structures and blood flow. 

Endovascular Intervention

As a leader in acute stroke care, Hoag provides a full range of minimally invasive endovascular techniques for both the prevention and treatment of stroke. Early detection of stroke risk includes the use of ultrasound to look for silent blockage in the arteries leading to the brain.

Carotid stenting is a preventive procedure for certain high-risk patients with such blockages, where post balloon angioplasty, a sleeve made of fine metal mesh, or stent, is fitted inside the newly opened carotid artery in order to hold the artery open and restore blood flow to the brain.

Hoag also specializes in preventive treatment of potentially explosive weak spots in the arteries of the brain. Such weak spots, or aneurysms, can be found on CT or MRI scans. Endovascular coiling or injection of other substances may be a treatment option for patients with hemorrhagic stroke—the type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain either due to an aneurysm or other blood vessel malformations.

Innovative Ischemic Stroke Treatment

More than 80% of all acute strokes are caused by blood clots. One treatment option for stroke is Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA), a medication that helps dissolve blood clots. To be effective, tPA must be administered within 4.5 hours from the onset of symptoms or Last Known well time. That’s why it’s so important for individuals to seek immediate emergency treatment at the first sign of stroke.

For strokes caused by an occlusion in the large arteries in the brain, thrombectomy of the clot can be performed up to 24 hours from when the patient was Last Seen Normal (without stroke symptoms) if the patient meets criteria for this.

Mechanical clot retrieval devices include stent retrievers and suction devices.

Armed with these devices and an extended treatment window, Hoag Hospital neuro interventionalists are successfully helping a broadened patient population to improve neurologic recovery and reduce the incidence of disability resulting from acute ischemic stroke.

Comprehensive Stroke Treatment & Recovery 

Hoag’s Stroke Program provides cutting-edge care to help patients recover and regain independence. A key to recovering from a stroke is early physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive rehabilitation. Our services include: 

Emergency Stroke Treatment: Rapid response care, including clot-busting medications (thrombolytics) and surgical interventions. 

Stroke Rehabilitation at Hoag’s Family Fudge Acute Rehabilitation Center: For those patients who need additional physical and occupational therapy for stroke recovery after their stay in the hospital, patients can be referred to our Family Fudge Acute Rehabilitation Center. Personalized therapy programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, will be implemented to improve mobility and communication. 

Advanced Neurological Care: Specialists in stroke neurology provide long-term management and secondary stroke prevention. 

Lifestyle & Preventative Care: Education on stroke risk factors, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol, to prevent future strokes. 

Why Choose Our Stroke Program? 

Board-Certified Stroke Specialists available 24/7. 

State-of-the-Art Rehabilitation Center with the latest technology and evidence-based therapies. 

Personalized Care Plans designed for each patient’s recovery journey. 

Comprehensive Stroke Support Groups and counseling for patients and families. 

Nationally Recognized by American Red Cross’s Get with the Guidelines, receiving Gold Plus award and High Performing by US News and World Report