Treatment for Stroke - Stanford Hospital & Clinics - Stanford University Medical Center

Cardiovascular Diseases

Treatment for Stroke

Medical treatment for stroke:
Specific treatment for stroke will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
severity of the stroke
location of the stroke
cause of the stroke
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
type of stroke
your opinion or preference

Although there is no cure for stroke, advanced medical and surgical treatments are now available, giving many stroke victims hope for optimal recovery.

Emergency treatments for stroke:
Treatment is most effective when started immediately. Emergency treatment following a stroke may include the following:

medications used to the dissolve blood clot(s) that cause an ischemic stroke
Medications that dissolve clots are called thrombolytic agents and are commonly known as "clot busters." One type of agent used is tissue plasminogen activator, or t-PA. These drugs have the ability to help reduce the damage to brain cells caused by the stroke. In order to be most effective, these agents must be given within several hours of a stroke's onset.
medications and therapy to reduce or control brain swelling
Corticosteroids and special types of intravenous (IV) fluids are often used to help reduce or control brain swelling, especially after a hemorrhagic stroke (a stroke caused by bleeding into the brain).
medications that help protect the brain from damage and ischemia (lack of oxygen)
Medications of this type are called neuroprotective agents, with some still under investigation in clinical trials.
life support measures including such treatments as ventilators (machines to assist with breathing), IV fluids, adequate nutrition, blood pressure control, and prevention of complications

Other medications used to treat or prevent a stroke:
Other medications that may help with recovery following a stroke, or may help to prevent a stroke from occurring, include the following:

medications to help prevent more blood clots from forming
Medications that help to prevent additional blood clots from forming are called anticoagulants, as they prevent the coagulation of the blood. Medications of this type include, for example, heparin and warfarin (Coumadin®).
medications that reduce the chance of blood clots by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from sticking together
Examples of this type of medication include aspirin and dipyridamole (Persantine®).
medications to treat existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart, or blood pressure problems

Types of surgery to treat or prevent a stroke:
Several types of surgery may be performed to help treat a stroke, or help to prevent a stroke from occurring, including the following:

carotid endarterectomy
Carotid endarterectomy is a procedure used to remove plaque and clots from the carotid arteries, located in the neck. These arteries supply the brain with blood from the heart. Endarterectomy may help prevent a stroke from occurring.
craniotomy
A craniotomy is a type of surgery in the brain itself to remove blood clots or repair bleeding in the brain.
surgery to repair aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
An aneurysm is a weakened, ballooned area on an artery wall that has a risk for rupturing and bleeding into the brain. An AVM is a congenital (present at birth) or acquired disorder that consists of a disorderly, tangled web of arteries and veins. An AVM also has a risk for rupturing and bleeding into the brain. Surgery may be helpful, in this case, to help prevent a stroke from occurring.

For more information, please contact the Stanford Health Library