Tests & Treatments for Stroke at University  of Colorado Hospital

Tests for Stroke

There are no blood tests currently that can tell us if a person is having a stroke. We must rely on images taken of the brain, using either MRI or CT technology.

Commonly used diagnosis imaging tests:

  • MRI
  • CT
  • CT Profusion
  • CT Angiography

CT perfusion and CT angiography allow physicians to look at areas that aren’t getting enough blood (ischemic) and look at blood vessels in the brain looking for blockages. These scans are obtained almost immediately upon arrival to hospital the allow the physicians time to evaluate the patient and make decisions about treatment options.

Treatments for Stroke

The treatments for stroke are limited. Currently we can use:

  • drugs that will “dissolve” the clot in an artery

Alteplase (tPA© ) is the drug most commonly used to break up blood clots in the brain. It can be used up to 3 hours from symptom onset when given through an IV.

When given via intra-arterial approach, Alteplase can be given far longer after symptom onset. Many facilities are not capable of using the intra-arterial approach. At University Of Colorado Hospital we have treated stroke as far out as 24 hours after symptom onset with this method.

  • a device that’s much like a corkscrew that will remove a clot from an artery.

The corkscrew known as the Merci® retrieval device (Mechanical embolectomy)  can device is used to “capture” blood clots in blood vessels in the brain. It can be used up to 8 hours from symptom onset.

University of Colorado Hospital utilizes all of these methods to treat stroke.

Stroke Prevention

Stroke prevention is still the best medicine.  The most important treatable conditions linked to stroke are:

Stroke Risk Factors

  • High blood pressure. Treat it.
  • Cigarette smoking. Quit.
  • Heart disease. Manage it.
  • Diabetes. Control it.
  • Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) (stroke systems appear for a short time and then disappear). Seek help.

When a blockage is detected, surgical and non-surgical techniques can be used to treat it and to prevent a future blockage:

Non-Surgical options for Cerebrovascular Disease

Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets are medications that help prevent clots.  

Surgical options for Cerebrovascular Disease

Some diagnostic and surgical techniques require highly specialized skills which few facilities offer. Due to the expertise of the medical team at The University of Colorado Hospital, we are able to offer the most extensive options in the region.

Treatments for narrow or blocked arteries

Carotid endarterectomy – this surgical procedure is done by a specially trained neurosurgeon who removes the plaque that is narrowing or blocking an artery.

External Carotid/Internal Carotid Artery Bypass – Similar to the idea of heart bypass, the neurosurgeon uses a branch of the external carotid artery (which supplies blood to the scalp and face) and connects the artery past the blockage to the internal carotid. This surgery resupplies blood to the brain for the clogged artery.

Treatments for hemorrhages/aneurysms

Clip ligation (“clipping”) – this surgical procedure is done by a specially trained neurosurgeon who strategically places a “clip” at the base of the aneurysm.

Aneurysm coiling – Coiling is a minimally invasive procedure is done by an interventional radiologist. The aneurysm is treated from within the blood vessel by placing a “coil” to block the blood flow.