Saint Vincent Stroke Center

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According to the American Stroke Association, about 700,000 Americans each year suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds. Every second counts when it comes to treating a stroke. Recognizing the signs and symptoms, and getting to the Saint Vincent Emergency Department quickly ensures the best chance of recovery.

Saint Vincent’s stroke program has earned multiple national recognition awards including the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers and the American Stroke Association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM Bronze Performance Achievement Award. The Saint Vincent Stroke Center features a 24/7 stroke alert team and the latest 3-D imaging technology. Since 2006, we’ve been the region’s only provider of the unique skills applied by endovascular neuro-interventionists. Saint Vincent also remains one of a select few hospitals in the country to install the Phillips Flat Panel Digital Biplane Technology for Neurosciences. This imaging technology lengthens the window of opportunity for stroke patients to receive innovative procedures that can stop a stroke in its tracks, making this advanced level of stroke care available not only to local patients, but to patients throughout the region. 

Click here to download more information on the region’s most advanced stroke and aneurysm care.

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

24/7 Stroke Alert Team
Medical intervention must take place within the first eight hours of the onset of stroke symptoms in order for a person to have a chance at full recovery. Saint Vincent’s Stroke Alert Team will provide interventional treatment, in addition to tPA therapy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The team uses a stroke-specific protocol to expedite care for patients who exhibit stroke symptoms to ensure appropriate treatment is provided to lessen the risk of permanent damage.

Endovascular Neuro-intervention
Endovascular neuro-intervention is a minimally invasive approach to the treatment of vascular conditions of the brain and spine. This treatment involves the use of catheters to target problems from inside the blood vessel. Interventionists are specially trained in using highly advanced imagery to guide them in treating blood vessel disorders of the head, neck and spine. This allows an interventionist to access, diagnose and treat conditions such as stroke, aneurysms and tumors, which would normally require conventional surgery.  

Digital Biplane Technology
Digital biplane technology is 3-D imaging for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, aneurysm and other vascular conditions of the head, neck and spine. This state-of-the art technology enables physicians to conduct minimally invasive procedures with precision and accuracy, which will leave patients with shorter hospital stays, reduced recovery time, less exposure to radiation and no large incision. Digital biplane technology is crucial to performing complex brain procedures that can stop some strokes in their tracks – and it’s only at Saint Vincent.

Click here to download more information on digital biplane technology.

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For more information about Saint Vincent Neurosciences, please call 814/452-5500 or 800/326-8080.