Stroke and Neurovascular Program

Stroke — the nation’s No. 1 cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death — is a medical emergency. An ischemic stroke is caused by blockage of an artery. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain. A transient ischemic stroke (TIA) is a “mini stroke” or “warning stroke” that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage; an obstruction (blood clot) occurs for a short time and tends to resolve itself. TIAs are strong indicators of a possible major stroke.

Warning Signs If you recognize stroke warning signs, call 911 for immediate transport to a hospital utilizing the most current acute stroke interventions. Quality Care Learn more about our quality efforts and read our quality reports in the Quality Care section.

• The Stroke and Neurovascular Program was the first in Wisconsin — and among the first in the nation — to receive certification as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. This certification is considered the “gold seal of approval” in the healthcare industry. Staff at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin have been leaders in providing extensive training and guidance to other area hospitals seeking certification.
  
  
• The Froedtert Acute Stroke Team (FAST) at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin has the training and expertise to treat all types of stroke safely and efficiently. The team is ready 24 hours a day to respond to the acute needs of stroke patients.
  
  
• Quality care — the care of stroke patients at Froedtert & The Medical College is based on proven clinical evidence and established guidelines for stroke care. Froedtert & The Medical College are leading stroke quality improvement in the state of Wisconsin.
  
  
• Diagnostic tests that pinpoint the location and cause of stroke.
  
  
• Advanced treatments — medication, surgery and interventional treatments can stop a stroke if provided early enough. In some cases, treatments provided by interventional neurologists can extend the window of treatment to 12 hours.
  
  
• State-of-the-art Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit and Acute Care Units offer specialized care to stroke patients.
  
  
• Comprehensive stroke rehabilitation services based on the extent of a patient’s disability.
  
  
• Active clinical research aimed at finding new ways to treat stroke and prevent recurrent stroke.
  
• Free stroke risk assessments; find out if a session is being offered now

Stroke FAQ

Despite its position as the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of adult disability in the United States, overall public awareness of stroke — its symptoms and treatments — remains relatively low. Know what a stroke is, its warning signs, treatments, and what you can do to reduce your risk. Learn more.

Learn more at mcw.edu and HealthLink

The Medical College of Wisconsin has been designated as a major hub in a new national network for emergency stroke, seizure, spinal cord and brain injury research.

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The American Stroke Association (a division of the American Heart Association) has recognized Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin for their exceptional performance in the treatment of patients who suffer from a stroke.

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While a recent study on the effectiveness of stents to treat heart conditions is "astonishing," Sam Zadait, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin neuro-interventionalist, is quick to remind us that the brain and the heart are two very different organs. Read more at HealthLink, a service of the Medical College of Wisconsin.

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Another HealthLink article, includes findings of a study presented by Dr. Zadait. The "wingspan" stent has proved safe in holding blocked blood vessels open and reducing stroke survivors' risk of having another stroke, according to the study.

Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin have provided this link as a convenience for patients and visitors to this site. We are not responsible for the content of this external site. Whenever you leave our site, we will tell you because we feel it is important to make this distinction as we have not reviewed the privacy policies of any Web sites we link to from our site, and you should exercise care when visiting any other Web site.

Last Review Date: Sept. 18, 2008

Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler