The McLaren Stroke Network
McLaren is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of care to our stroke patients. The clock starts ticking upon the first signs of a stroke. For every minute a stroke is left untreated, millions of brain cells die. The key to maximizing your outcome after stroke symptoms begin is to immediately call 9-1-1 so you can get to the Emergency Department as soon as possible. Similar to treating a heart attack, evidence based medicine shows there is a "treatment window" for maximizing outcomes for stroke patients. McLaren is among the best in area stroke care and employs a skilled to staff to increase positive results.
Telestroke Network
McLaren Health Care's telemedicine service provides patients with enhanced in-house stroke care and 24/7 access to highly specialized interventional neurologists who can provide advanced therapies for patients with strokes and aneurysms. The McLaren Stroke Network is the only program in Michigan - and one of only a handful in the nation - where every stroke patient is seen by a stroke trained interventional neurologist in minutes...any time of the day or night.
Consultative services within minutes
As part of the McLaren Stroke Network, interventional neurologists utilize a telemedicine “robot” to provide consultative services within minutes of notification by onsite emergency and in house physicians. The TeleStroke System allows the interventional neurologist to beam into the patient’s bedside from a remote location and assess the patient, review CT scan images and discuss best options for the patient with onsite physicians and the patient’s family.
McLaren's accessibility to telemedicine technology
Each of the hospitals across the McLaren system has installed this telemedicine technology in their emergency department, ensuring that patients have access to rapid decision-making for treatment during the critical period following the onset of stroke symptoms. This technology assures that clinical therapies such as clot removal and clot busting drugs can be applied quickly and effectively, resulting in better outcomes for the patient in regaining blood flow to affected areas in the brain, thus minimizing long term disability.
With the TeleStroke network, stroke patients benefit from speedier diagnoses, faster care, and a better chance of recovery. We're proud to offer this high level of neurologic intervention for stroke patients.
TeleStroke technology is available at these McLaren ER locations:
- McLaren Bay Region
- McLaren Caro Region
- McLaren Central Michigan
- McLaren Fenton
- McLaren Flint
- McLaren Lapeer Region
- McLaren Macomb
- McLaren Northern Michigan
- McLaren Oakland
- McLaren Port Huron
- McLaren Thumb Region
Airflight Contract
McLaren Health Care contracts with FlightCare to transport patients via helicopter from outlying hospitals to Level I Stroke Centers in the McLaren system. The program offers air transportation for patients from McLaren Central Michigan and McLaren Northern Michigan to McLaren Flint. We also partner with EMS services for overland transfers.
Types Of Strokes
Ischemic stroke
Some 90 percent of all strokes are caused by blockages of the blood vessels in the brain. They are called ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes are also divided into two categories, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). They are:
- Thrombotic - these are the result of two things, the slow narrowing of the arteries as fatty deposits build up and the formation of a clot that then lodges in this narrowed opening. AHA says uncontrolled high cholesterol is a risk factor for this type of stroke.
- Embolic - these happen when a clot forms somewhere else in the body, breaks free and eventually lodges in the brain. For example, a type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation affects the heart's ability to pump blood, so it may pool and clot. The clot can travel to the brain. In fact, AHA says about 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation.
Thrombolysis is the term used for the breaking up of a clot with drug therapy. Ischemic strokes can be treated with a drug called tPA, according to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It dissolves blood clots obstructing blood flow to the brain. The window of opportunity to start treating stroke patients is three hours. To be evaluated and receive treatment however, patients need to get to the hospital within 60 minutes. Potential dangers from the drug include internal bleeding in the brain. Some patients, who are not candidates for tPA, may be helped by a newer procedure that involves the use of a tiny corkscrew-shaped device that can remove the blood clot or clots that are blocking the artery.
After an ischemic stroke, blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants may be prescribed. If a doctor determines that a stroke has been caused by a blockage of a blood vessel leading to the brain, surgery may be needed too. In a procedure called carotid endarterectomy, surgeons open up the carotid artery in the neck and scrape out plaque. Surgeons also may open up a clogged carotid artery with a small balloon and insert a small tube called a stent to keep the artery open. Following surgery, drugs that prevent more clots from forming may be prescribed. For some patients, who are considered at high risk of having a stroke, carotid artery surgery may be recommended as a prophylactic measure, to prevent a stroke from occurring. Depending on the severity of the stroke, and on the area of the brain impacted, physical rehabilitation may be necessary. Again, since treatment and rehabilitation should begin as soon after a stroke as possible, it's essential for everyone to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and get help right away.
Hemorrhagic stroke
According to the American Stroke Association, 20 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic strokes. They happen when a weakened vessel ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. This type of stroke can be caused by a head injury, for example, or if an aneurysm (a blood-filled pouch that forms on weak spots in the artery wall) bursts. This type of stroke can also be caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a congenitally malformed mass of thin-walled blood vessels. Subarachnoid hemorrhage refers to bleeding in the space between the surface of the brain and the skull. Intracerebral hemorrhage refers to bleeding that occurs within the brain tissue. A hemorrhagic stroke is very dangerous because the accumulated blood from the burst artery may put pressure on surrounding brain tissue and interfere with how the brain functions.
Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke depends on the cause of the hemorrhage and how much damage was done to the brain. With hemorrhagic stroke, doctors want to clot the blood and stop the bleeding. Medication can be used to do this. FDA says hemorrhagic stroke can also be treated with surgery that removes abnormal blood vessels or places a clip at the base of an aneurysm. Aneurysms may also be treated by using catheters. Surgery can also be used to remove the AVM, if this is the cause of the stroke. If high blood pressure caused the hemorrhagic stroke, medication may be used to bring blood pressure down. Depending on the severity of the stroke, and on the area of the brain impacted, physical rehabilitation may be necessary. Again, since treatment and rehabilitation should begin as soon after a stroke as possible, it's essential for everyone to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and get help right away.
TIA's and "silent" strokes
AANS says many people are unaware of the warning signs of a stroke. This is particularly true in the case of a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a temporary situation in which you suddenly experience the symptoms of a stroke, but then the symptoms go away after a few minutes. People often ignore a TIA, thinking the problem has disappeared. This can be a fatal mistake because a TIA is serious warning. In fact, according to AANS, approximately 10 to 15 percent of patients who have TIA's will suffer a stroke within one year of the first attack.
In addition, there is also a "silent stroke." The American Heart Association (AHA) says silent strokes are far more common than once thought. Basically, silent strokes occur when small blood vessels in the brain become blocked or rupture. A silent stroke is not accompanied by the classic warning signs of stroke; in fact, someone experiencing silent strokes may not even be aware of it. But eventually, as blood and oxygen supply to the brain diminishes, cells die. This can lead to problems with memory or concentration. It can also create mood changes and lead to depression.
Because of this, the American Stroke Association says seniors should be monitored more carefully for depression since depression may indicate that a silent stroke has already occurred.