Prior to the 1960s, stroke related deaths were 4 times higher than today’s rates (National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2013). In the 1960s, stroke deaths began to decline as treatable risk factors, such as hypertension and cigarette smoking, were identified. During the 1970s, stroke deaths continued to decline due to continued risk factor management, increased aspirin usage, and advances in radiological studies such as computer tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning.
Annually, approximately 795,000 Americans are diagnosed with a stroke (American Stroke Association (ASA), ndb). Stroke is the third leading cause of death and is the leading …show more content…
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures and blood leaks into the surrounding brain tissue. Treatment is focused on prevention of hematoma expansion. Although hemorrhagic strokes only account for 13% of all strokes, they have a very high fatality rate (ASA, nda). Ischemic strokes occur when an artery leading to the brain becomes blocked. Treatment is focused on rapidly restoring blood flow to the area that is deprived. A TIA occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. All of these are …show more content…
Hemorrhagic stroke prevention and treatment is achieved by endovascular coiling or surgical clipping of aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (ASA, ndc). On the contrary, Activase is the only FDA approved ischemic stroke treatment and works by dissolving the clot and restoring blood flow to the area of the brain that is deprived. Administration of Activase must occur within 3 hours of symptom onset after hemorrhagic stroke has been ruled out (American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), 2013). An additional treatment option for ischemic stroke is an endovascular procedure called a mechanical thrombectomy. This procedure utilizes a stentreiver to remove the clot and is performed in conjunction with Activase up to 6 hours from symptom onset (AHA/ASA,