Stroke Intervention: Every Second Counts

Stroke is third-leading cause of death in the United States, with over 700,000 episodes annually.

Know the symptoms of stroke. Do not delay in seeking emergency care.

The Stroke Center at WVU has an emergency response team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to evaluate and treat a stroke in time to minimize damage.

When a stroke occurs or is suspected, call 911.

The 911 operator will contact an emergency medical service to dispatch an ambulance. When the emergency response team examines the stroke victim, they will contact WVU Hospitals with vital patient information.

The WVU Stroke team, comprised of a multidisciplinary group of experts including neurosurgeons, radiologists and emergency-medicine physicians, will begin to prepare before the patient arrives at the hospital.

The latest treatment options ensure a greater chance of survival. These treatments can stop a stroke while it is happening or drastically reduce the amount of damage it causes. Patients entering with symptoms of a stroke are rapidly assessed with a trio of tests, including CT scan, angiography and perfusion, which then guide the choice of treatment.

West Virginia University Hospitals is designated a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations. The WVU Stroke Center cares for patients in the tri-state region.

WVU Stroke Center

When word comes in that a stroke victim is on the way to WVU Healthcare’s emergency department, our Stroke Team is prepared to give the patient the exact care he or she needs to reduce the severity of the stroke. Laurie Gutmann, MD, tells more about the Stroke Center and their mission to help stroke survivors.

Doctors On Call: Strokes