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An ischemic stroke (the most common type) happens when a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets blocked, usually from a blood clot or a piece of arterial plaque shutting off the blood supply to a part of the brain, causing brain cell death. The brain then can’t work properly, and neither can the part of the body it controls, like the ability to walk or talk. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel within the brain bursts, often the result of uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Why Choose UHealth?

One of the largest stroke programs in the country. Stroke experts at the University of Miami Health System were the first to demonstrate that stem cells released into distant arteries or veins travel to the site of a stroke in the brain to help magnify the body’s healing.

Pioneers in the use of anti-clotting drugs in combination with a catheter-based system for manually clearing the blockage. The clot-clearing system, called mechanical thrombectomy, has become the standard of care.

Multidisciplinary care by recognized specialists in their fields.  In complex cases, stroke care may require the services of a cardiothoracic surgeon, an interventional cardiologist, a lung specialist, a diabetes specialist and a geneticist. Your doctors talk to each other and make sure all specialties involved in your care are on-board with a unified treatment plan.

StrokeAware: Get Informed About Strokes

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Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of serious, long-term, adult disability. Each year, over 700,000 people have a stroke; 75% of these are first attacks. Knowing the warning signs and acting quickly are our best defenses against Stroke.


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Treatments

  • Emergency treatments

    • Medications called thrombolytics or fibrinolytics, also known as clot busters, are used to dissolve the blood clot(s) that cause an ischemic stroke and reduce the damage to brain cells. These must be given within several hours of a stroke's onset.
    • Mechanical thrombectomy has become the standard of stroke care.The use of anti-clotting drugs in combination with a catheter-based system for clearing the blockage that UHealth doctors helped pioneer has enabled seven out of 10 people to walk out of the hospital if they were treated within six hours. After the clot buster is administered, specialists can thread a catheter through blood vessels to the site of the blockage and manually remove the clot.
    • While stem cells are still being used in clinical trials, there is evidence that, combined with clot busting and mechanical thrombectomy, therapy enhances recovery. Stem cells injected into distant arteries or veins travel to the site of a stroke in the brain to fuelthe repair process. The optimal time for introducing stem cells seems to be between 36 and 72 hours after the stroke.
    • Medications can also be used to control brain swelling. Corticosteroids and special types of intravenous fluids are often used to reduce brain swelling, especially after a hemorrhagic stroke.
    • Neuroprotective agents are medications that help protect the brain from damage and ischemia (lack of oxygen). Some are still under investigation in clinical trials.
    • Other emergency treatments include life support measures, such as:  ventilators (machines to assist with breathing), IV fluids, adequate nutrition, blood pressure control, and prevention of complications

    • Recovery or Prevention Medications

    In addition to medications used to treat existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart, or blood pressure problems, recovery or prevention medications include:

    • Aanticoagulants, which prevent the coagulation or clotting of the blood and may include heparin and warfarin (Coumadin®) and enoxaparin (Lovenox®).
    • Anticlumping medications prevent platelets from sticking together. These may include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix®) or dipyridamole (Aggrenox®).

  • Surgery

    Several types of surgery may be performed to help treat a stroke, or help to prevent a stroke from occurring.

    • Carotid endarterectomy is a proceduret that removes plaque and clots from the carotid arteries, located in the neck, that supply the brain with blood from the heart.
    • During carotid stenting a large metal coil (stent) is placed in the carotid artery to keep it open so blood can flow to the brain.
    • A craniotomy is another type of surgery in the brain itself to remove blood clots or repair bleeding in the brain.
    • Surgeons may also perform surgery to repair aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). An aneurysm is a weakened, area of an artery wall that could rupture and bleed into the brain. An AVM consists of a disorderly, tangled web of arteries and veins, also with the risk of rupturing and bleeding into the brain. Surgery may help prevent a stroke from occurring.
    • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is another type of surgery which aims to prevent strokes.The foramen ovale is an opening that occurs in the wall between the two upper chambers of a baby's heart before birth. It normally closes soon after birth, but if it doesn’t, blood flows from the right atrium directly to the left atrium and out to the central circulation of the body. If this blood contains any clots or air bubbles, they can pass into the brain circulation causing a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). At UHealth, PFO closure procedure can be performed with a through the skin approach.

  • Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment

    Many individuals who have a stroke are left with paralysis of one arm and hand. Constraint-induced therapy (CIT) encourages the use of the stroke-affected limb by preventing the non-affected limb from doing tasks and gradually helping the affected side to take over its function.

Tests 

  • Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT Scan)

    This procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images both horizontally and vertically, of the body to detect abnormalities and help identify the location or type of stroke.

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

    MRI uses magnetic fields to detect small changes in brain tissue that help to locate and diagnose stroke.

  • Radionuclide Angiography

    This nuclear brain scan uses radioactive compounds injected into a vein in the arm, and a machine (similar to a Geiger counter) to create a map showing their uptake into different parts of the head, often detecting areas of decreased blood flow and tissue damage.

  • Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA)

    A CT angiogram uses CT technology to obtain images of blood vessels.

  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

    Using MRI technology, this procedure evaluates blood flow through arteries in a noninvasive way.

  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

    This variation of MRI is used to determine the specific location of the brain where a certain function, such as speech or memory, occurs.

  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)

    An EEG records the brain's continuous, electrical activity by means of electrodes attached to the scalp.

  • Evoked Potentials

    This test records the brain's electrical response to visual, auditory, and sensory stimuli.

  • Carotid Phonoangiography

    A small microphone is placed over the carotid artery on the neck to record sounds created by blood flow as it passes through a partially blocked artery

  • Doppler Sonography

    A special transducer is used to direct sound waves into a blood vessel to evaluate the sound of blood moving though the vessel, looking for faintness or absence of sound.

  • Ocular Plethysmography

    This test measures pressure on the eyes, or detects pulses in the eyes.

  • Cerebral Blood Flow Test (Inhalation Method)

    This test measures the amount of oxygen in the blood supply that reaches different areas of the brain.

  • Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)

    The test involves inserting a small, thin tube (catheter) into an artery in the leg and passing it up to the blood vessels in the brain. A contrast dye is injected through the catheter and X-ray images are taken.

Accepted Insurances

Note: Health plans that are currently contracted with UHealth are listed below. However, please check with your insurance provider to verify that UHealth is part of your provider network.

  • Aetna WC
  • Aetna Affiliates/Signature Adm (ASA)
  • Aetna Behavioral Health
  • Aetna Elect Choice (EPO)
  • Aetna Florida Healthy Kids
  • Aetna HMO
  • Aetna Medicaid HMO
  • Aetna Medicare HMO
  • Aetna Medicare PPO
  • Aetna POS
  • Aetna PPO
  • Aetna UM Employee HMO 1
  • Aetna UM Employee HMO 2
  • Aetna UM Employee POS HRA
  • Aetna/Coventry Institutes of Excellence (IOE)
  • Amerigroup Florida Healthy Kids
  • Amerigroup Medicaid HMO
  • Argus Vision
  • AvMed Choice
  • AvMed HMO/POS
  • AvMed MDC and JHS Groups
  • AvMed Medicare HMO
  • AXIS
  • BCBS Blue Options Network Blue PPO
  • BCBS BlueCare HealthOptions HMO
  • BCBS BlueChoice PPC/PPO
  • BCBS Miami Dade Blue PPO Limited Benefits Plan
  • BCBS of Florida (All products except "SELECT" Plans)
  • BCBS of Florida (Commercial plans exclude HIX Select)
  • BCBS Traditional PHS/PPO
  • Beacon Health (ValueOption)
  • Beech Street PPO
  • Broward Health Medical Center
  • CarePlus Medicare HMO
  • Catholic Hospice
  • CCP/CMS Title XIX (Medicaid Enrolled in South Florida)
  • CCP/CMS Title XXI (Non Medicaid Enrolled in South Florida)
  • CCP/MMA (Broward County residents)
  • Charlotte County Sheriffs Office PPO
  • Cigna Affiliates
  • Cigna Behavioral Health
  • Cigna Dental HMO/PPO
  • Cigna EPO
  • Cigna HMO
  • Cigna Life Source (Intracorp is part of Cigna Lifesource)
  • Cigna MDCPS Jackson Sr. High
  • Cigna POS
  • Cigna PPO
  • Cigna Shared Administration
  • Clear Health Alliance SNP Medicaid HMO
  • Concordia Behavioral Health
  • CorVel WC
  • Coventry First Health WC
  • Coventry Health Care of Florida (HIP) HMO/POS
  • Coventry Health Care of Florida (HIP) PPO
  • Coventry Health Plan of Florida (Foundation) HMO
  • Coventry Health Plan of Florida (Foundation) POS
  • Coventry National PPO
  • Coventry Summit Medicare HMO
  • Coventry Vista Medicare HMO
  • Coventry First Health PPO
  • Delta Dental PPO
  • DentaQuest (ADI)
  • DIKLA
  • Dimension WC
  • Dimension Plus PPO
  • EHN PPO
  • EQUIAN (Health Systems International)
  • Europe Assistance/Global Corporate Solutions (Care Management Network)
  • eyeQuest
  • FCCI WC
  • Florida Healthcare Plan (Affiliate of BCBSFL)
  • Florida PACE (FPC)
  • Freedom Health Medicaid HMO
  • Freedom Health Medicare HMO
  • Gallagher Bassett WC (MDCPS & FCSRMC)
  • Global Excel Mgt PPO
  • Great West (Cigna) HMO/POS
  • Guardian Life PPO
  • HAA Preferred Partners
  • Health First Health HMO/POS
  • Health First Health Medicare HMO
  • Health First Health PPO
  • Health Net Veterans Choice HMO
  • Heritage Summit Healthcare WC
  • Humana Behavioral Health (LifeSynch)
  • Humana Dental/CompBenefits/OHS
  • Humana EPO
  • Humana HMO
  • Humana Medicaid HMO
  • Humana Medicare HMO
  • Humana National Transplant
  • Humana PPO
  • Humana Premier
  • iCare Health Solutions
  • Interlink Health Services
  • International Kids Fund (IKF)
  • League Medical Concepts Federal Inmates
  • Life Trac
  • Magellan Behavioral Health
  • Magellan Complete Care SNP Medicaid HMO
  • MDAbroad
  • Medica Medicare HMO
  • Medical Development In't (MDI)-Federal Inmates
  • Medicus
  • Metlife Dental PPO
  • MHNet Behavioral Network (MHNet)
  • Molina
  • Molina Market Place
  • Molina Medicaid HMO
  • Molina Medicare HMO
  • Morgan White International
  • MultiPlan PPO
  • Naphcare (Federal Prisoners)
  • National Healthcare Solutions Inc.
  • Neighborhood HealthPlan HMO/POS
  • Neighborhood HealthPlan PPO
  • North Broward Hospital District PPO
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare
  • Optum
  • Positive Healthcare SNP Medicaid HMO
  • Positive Healthcare SNP Medicare HMO
  • Prestige Health Choice Medicaid HMO
  • Prime Health Services WC
  • Quality Health Management
  • Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses PPO
  • Rockport Healthcare Group WC
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises PPO
  • Sanus Health Corporation
  • Seasons Hospice
  • Simply Healthcare Medicaid HMO
  • Solstice Dental HMO/PPO
  • Start Healthcare Network
  • Sunshine
  • Sunshine AMBETTER
  • Sunshine Healthy Kids HMO
  • Sunshine Medicaid HMO
  • Sunshine Medicare HMO
  • Tricare South Prime HMO
  • Tricare South Standard PPO
  • United Behavioral Health (UBH)
  • UnitedHealthcare Affiliates
  • UnitedHealthcare Healthy Kids HMO
  • UnitedHealthcare HMO/POS
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicaid HMO
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Nursing Home Plan
  • UnitedHealthcare PPO
  • University of Miami Athletic Dept PPO
  • VUMI
  • Wellcare/Staywell Healthy Kids HMO
  • Wellcare/Staywell Medicaid HMO
  • Wexford Health State Inmates
  • Worldwide Managed Care