Stroke Care

Interventional neurology care in Duluth

If you think you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately.

A stroke happens when blood flow is blocked from the brain. Often, this is because of a blood clot. The faster a person can get emergency care after the initial signs of a stroke, the more options are available to minimize damage. Our experienced team is here to help those experiencing a stroke.

How can you tell if someone is having a stroke?

It's important to be able to spot the signs of a stroke so you can get medical attention as soon as possible. One way to do this is to remember the acronym BE FAST:

• Balance: Watch for a loss of balance.
• Eyes: Ask about vision loss.
• Face: Look for an uneven smile.
• Arms: Check if one arm is weaker.
• Speech: Listen for slurred speech.
• Time: Call 911 right away.

What is interventional neurology?

Interventional neurology is a cutting-edge medical specialty focusing on minimally invasive techniques to treat conditions affecting the brain and spine’s blood vessels. With faster recovery times and lower risk of complications, interventional neurology doctors, called interventional neurologists, are revolutionizing stroke and neurological care.

How are strokes treated?

For patients experiencing a stroke, our team will provide emergent care, beginning with clot-busting medication, through an IV. Patients then undergo a computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography (CTA) to determine the location and size of the clot.

If determined necessary, our experts will then perform an endovascular thrombectomy in our hybrid operating room, to remove the blockage. With this procedure, the clot is removed and blood flow is restored.

What happens after the clot is removed?

Once an active stroke is resolved, Aspirus St. Luke's team will provide ongoing follow-up care throughout the patient’s inpatient stay and ongoing after discharge. In most cases, stroke rehabilitation is essential. Our Stroke Rehab Program provides comprehensive rehab to help patients recover from a wide range of stroke-related difficulties, on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

To learn more about Stroke Care at Aspirus St. Luke's, read this patient story.

To learn more, contact our Stroke Program Coordinator at 218.249.2473 or diane.roach@aspirus.org.