Stroke Treatment at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Prompt treatment makes a big difference in outcome. The type of treatment a stroke patient gets depends on the type of stroke that has occurred. The most common kind, ischemic strokes, are triggered by a blocked artery, usually caused by a blood clot. Physicians can use a protein known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to dissolve the clot.
256 Slice CT Scanner
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is the first hospital in New Jersey to offer the 256 Slice General Electric (GE) Revolution CT Scanner. As a comprehensive stroke center, this advanced technology is located in Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Emergency Department supporting the rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients experiencing symptoms of stroke. The 256 Slice CT Scanner provides faster and more efficient scanning while delivering the lowest possible dose of radiation.
Thrombectomy
Thrombectomy is an endovascular approach to physically remove blood clots from arteries or veins. During this procedure, a physician guides a catheter through the femoral (thigh) or radial (wrist) artery and up into the brain using X-ray guidance. Once the blood clot is found, the surgeon can either use suction to remove it or use mesh to retrieve it and pull it out of the vessel. This new endovascular approach has lengthened the treatment time window for ischemic strokes.
In 2022, complete or near-complete restoration of blood flow was achieved in 4 out of every 5 patients undergoing thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.
Vascular neurosurgeons at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center may perform thrombectomy using local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s condition. Although thrombectomy can be effective for six to 24 hours after a stroke has occurred, it is important to know that the sooner the blood flow is restored, the better the outcome.
Speed is still of the essence when it comes to stroke treatment. Don’t wait to get help. Call 911 as soon as you see the first signs of stroke.