Thrombolytic Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV


An ischemic stroke is caused by blood clots that block blood flow to the brain. Thrombolytic medications (Alteplase and Tenecteplase) are medications that can dissolve these blood clots. It can help treat a stroke if it is given very shortly after stroke symptoms begin. It is most effective when it is used within 0–4.5 hours after the start of symptoms. Before giving this treatment, the health care provider will carefully consider whether the treatment is appropriate based on your age, condition, and other factors.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have
  • All medicines you are taking, including blood thinners, vitamins, herbs, and over-the-counter medicines
  • Any medical conditions you have
  • Any blood disorders you have
  • Any active bleeding in the last 21 days, including gastrointestinal (GI) or vaginal bleeding
  • Any surgeries or procedures you have had
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant
  • When your stroke symptoms started

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe treatment. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Bleeding into the brain
  • Bleeding in other parts of the body
  • Allergic reaction

What happens before the treatment?

  • Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and take a detailed medical history.
  • Your temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate (vital signs) will be monitored closely. If needed, you may be given medicines to adjust your blood pressure.
  • You may have tests, including blood tests or imaging studies, such as a CT scan.

What happens during treatment?

  • An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
  • Thrombolytic medication will be given to you through this IV.
  • In some cases, this medicine may be given directly into the affected artery through a thin tube (catheter). This is usually inserted in the artery at the top of your leg.
  • Your vital signs and brain function will be monitored closely as you receive this medicine.
  • If bleeding occurs, the medicine will be stopped and appropriate therapy will be started.
  • The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What can I expect after treatment?

  • You will be monitored frequently by your health care team in an intensive care unit or a stroke unit.
  • You will be checked by a speech therapist, physical therapist, and an occupational therapist.
  • If you had a catheter, you may have bruising, soreness, and swelling at the catheter insertion site.
  • It may take several days, weeks, or even months to fully determine how well you responded to the Thrombolytic treatment.

Symptoms of stroke

The most common signs and symptoms of stroke are sudden:

  • Loss of movement, especially on just one side of the body
  • Weakness in the arms or legs, especially on just one side
  • One-sided weakness or sagging of the face
  • Inability to speak a coherent sentence
  • Vision loss or disturbance in one or both eyes
  • Severe headache coupled with any other stroke symptoms

If you or someone around you experiences these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

be fast

To quickly assess whether a person might be experiencing a stroke, BE FAST:

  • B – Balance: Is the person suddenly having trouble with balance or coordination?
  • E – Eyes: Is the person experiencing sudden blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes without pain?
  • F – Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
  • A – Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S – Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like, “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • T – Time to call 911: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.

When it comes to stroke, time is crucial. Getting to the ER is the first step in stroke care. The next steps depend upon the type of stroke. Stroke care guidelines have very specific standards for the timing of stroke treatment.

Recovering in a stroke care program means personalized rehabilitation, with immediate support. The care continues even after you go home to help you return to normal life as soon as possible.

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican offers exceptional stroke treatment in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. 

 

St. Rose Dominican - Siena Campus 2024 Stroke Performance Measures and Outcomes can be found HERE.