Treatments
Salinas Valley Memorial offers a wide array of treatments for stroke patients.
The treatments you receive depend on the type of stroke you have had and
your specific condition. Your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Ischemic stroke treatments
Thrombolytics
Thrombolytic, or “clot buster” drugs help reestablish blood
flow to the brain by dissolving the clots that are blocking the flow.
You may have heard the drug referred to as TPA. These drugs are only used
if you have had an ischemic stroke (blockage).
Minimally invasive surgical procedures
Through a small incision in the upper leg, a tiny tube is inserted into
the artery and up to where the clot is lodged. X-ray technology shows
the area being treated. These procedures are very specialized and usually
only available in large teaching hospitals. We have a partnership with
Stanford Medical Center for rapid transfer of stroke patients who would
benefit from this type of treatment.
- A thrombolytic medicine such as TPA may be injected directly into the clot.
- A tiny net-like device is used to trap and remove the clot.
Hemorrhagic stroke treatments
Most treatments (including minimally invasive surgical procedures) for
hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes are focused on preventing the stroke from
becoming larger and causing greater damage.
