Stroke

The Bridgeport Hospital Stroke Center offers a complete program that emphasizes rapid, advanced care for patients with stroke and complex neurovascular conditions.

Bridgeport Hospital is certified by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center.

This means the hospital meets strict national standards for providing safe, high-quality care to patients. This care includes rehabilitation and after-care support services.

The Stroke Center provides 24/7 coverage by a team of experts. This includes neurologists, endo- and neurovascular neurosurgeons, intensive care and emergency medicine physicians, radiologists, nurses, clinical pharmacists, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapists.

Our advanced technology includes advanced CT perfusion imaging and catheter angiography equipment enabling physicians to quickly and precisely identify the area of a brain affected by a stroke and blood clot location.

Conditions we treat:

• Brain aneurysms
• Brain and spinal cord arterio-venous malformations
• Brain vascular malformations
• Carotid stenosis
• Cavernous malformations
• Dural arteriovenous fistulas
• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Hydrocephalus and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid
• Intracranial stenosis
• Ischemic stroke
• Moyamoya
• Nose bleeds (epistaxis)
• Venous sinus stenosis/occlusion

Stroke Types and Treatment

A stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack,” is an emergency and occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. Depending on what part of the brain is “attacked,” a stroke can affect physical movement of the body (arms and legs), speech, and memory, as well as sensation, coordination, and balance. There are two types of strokes and each requires different treatment.

• Ischemic Stroke: More than 87 percent of strokes are ischemic, caused by a blood clot – a blood vessel blockage in the brain. Many of these strokes can be treated effectively with clot-busting drugs, provided the patient arrives at the emergency department as soon as symptoms are recognized.

  At Bridgeport Hospital, thrombectomy is a treatment for ischemic stroke. During this minimally invasive procedure, a blood clot is removed and blood flow to the brain is re-established. This emergency treatment may be of benefit up to 24 hours after stroke onset.

• A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can be the prelude to a full-blown stroke. A TIA is like a stroke but without brain damage. It may present with sudden and temporary onset of visual, speech, language, balance, strength or sensation disturbances. Never ignore TIA symptoms, which can be temporary or fleeting. Early detection can lead to immediate diagnosis, treatment.

• Hemorrhagic Stroke: This is caused by weakened vessels that rupture and bleed into the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke requires specialized medical or surgical interventions. Bridgeport Hospital neurologists, neurosurgeons and intensivists are available 24/7 to care for these patients.

Stroke Rehabilitation

Bridgeport Hospital offers rehabilitation, speech, and support services to assist stroke survivors and their families. During hospitalization, physical, occupational and/or speech therapists meet with patients and their families or caregivers to assess needs and recommend a care plan. These rehabilitation services are also available on an outpatient basis through Ahlbin Rehabilitation Center. Our Stroke Education Support Group meets monthly to provide valuable information on stroke-related topics for those at risk of stroke, those who have had a stroke, as well as for families and caregivers of stroke survivors.

TeleStroke

Bridgeport Hospital offers TeleStroke services to assess patients who are experiencing stroke symptoms, but are not at a hospital that specializes in stroke services. Our neurologists use high-speed videoconferencing and image-sharing technology to examine patients at remote locations, diagnose their condition, and work with physicians or EMS providers to recommend a plan of care. If more advanced therapies are needed, patients can be transferred to Bridgeport Hospital Stroke Center.