Treatments and Procedures
Treatment for a stroke or TIA depends upon the patient and the prescribed course of action from a stroke specialist. Your stroke team will take steps to stop your stroke. Immediate treatment is needed to:
- Dissolve a clot causing an ischemic stroke
- Stop the bleeding during a hemorrhagic stroke
Other treatment aims to:
- Reduce the chance of later strokes
- Improve functioning
- Overcome disabilities
Medications your doctor may prescribe include:
- Clot-dissolving drugs: given shortly after the start of symptoms; typically given within 3 hours by IV or intra-arterially (IA) within 6 hours only for carefully selected patients
- Blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants)
- Antiplatelet drugs
Other drugs are used to:
- Control blood pressure (labetalol, the first-line drug, or sodium nitroprusside)
- Reduce the chance of additional clot formation (aspirin or similar medication)
- Reduce brain swelling
- Correct irregular heart rhythm (e.g., atrial fibrillation)
Other interventions during an acute stroke:
- Adequate oxygen
- Precautions to prevent choking
- Frequent neurological examinations
