Stroke & Aneurysm Care
Every second counts when it comes to treating strokes and aneurysms. That’s why our fellowship-trained, board-certified neuro specialists work fast to provide advanced treatments that aim to prevent death and disability.
Advanced Treatments from Neuro Experts
At Wellstar, we know getting fast, expert stroke care can mean the difference between life, death or lasting damage. That’s why our highly skilled neuro specialists work together as a team to treat strokes quickly, safely and effectively with leading technology. Our multidisciplinary team is made up of fellowship-trained vascular neurologists, cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, neurocritical care intensivists, neuroradiologists and neuro acute care advance practitioners. Our approach to stroke care allows for rapid diagnosis and advanced treatment when patients need it most — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As the leading provider of stroke and aneurysm services in Georgia, our neuro team performs one of the highest numbers of thrombectomy and aneurysm treatments in the country. Across our network of Joint Commission Stroke certified hospitals, we offer advanced treatments including complex surgery, minimally-invasive neuroendovascular procedures, tenecteplase (TNK) therapy, artificial intelligence (AI) enabled brain imaging and telestroke services.
As the leading provider of stroke and aneurysm services in Georgia, our neuro team performs one of the highest numbers of thrombectomy and aneurysm treatments in the country. Across our network of Joint Commission Stroke certified hospitals, we offer advanced treatments including complex surgery, minimally-invasive neuroendovascular procedures, tenecteplase (TNK) therapy, artificial intelligence (AI) enabled brain imaging and telestroke services.
Advanced Treatments, Technology & Support
- Minimally-Invasive Treatment
- Biplane Imaging
- Artificial Intelligence
- Neurocritical Care
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Augusta About Us
- Augusta Why Choose Us
- Augusta Treatments
- Augusta Tests and Procedures
Minimally-Invasive Treatment
Wellstar is one of only four programs in the state that offer neuroendovascular treatment. These minimally-invasive catheterized blood vessel procedures can treat complex conditions without open brain surgery. When performing a thrombectomy, a skilled neurointerventionalist or cerebrovascular neurosurgeon guides a tiny catheter through a blood vessel in the patient’s leg to the blood clot in the brain. The goal is to remove the clot and restore blood flow to the brain to help prevent disability.
State-of-the-Art Biplane Imaging
Wellstar is a leader in stroke care and delivers advanced technology for complex cases, such as state-of-the-art neurointerventional biplane angiography suites. Available at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, this specialized imaging produces detailed 3D views of blood vessels deep within the brain. Biplane imaging helps our specialists diagnose people accurately and perform complex procedures like thrombectomies and brain aneurysm repair.
Imaging & Artificial Intelligence
Wellstar uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify strokes and aneurysms, so patients get care fast at all of our hospitals. When someone has a CT scan, our AI reviews the images for signs of strokes and aneurysms. Our neurologists and neurosurgeons are alerted instantly through a smartphone app allowing them to intervene quickly and coordinate vital care for improved patient outcomes.
Cerebrovascular & Neurocritical Care
Our experienced team of cerebrovascular and endovascular physicians have the expertise and experience to treat people with complex neurological conditions. Staffed by a multidisciplinary team of neurocritical care physicians, advanced practice providers and critical care registered nurses, Neuro Intensive Care Units at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center provide the highest level of cerebrovascular and neurocritical care. Learn more about cerebrovascular and neurocritical care at Wellstar.
Neurological Rehabilitation
After experiencing a stroke or aneurysm, our team provides educational support and secondary treatment to prevent a future stroke, along with physical and occupational therapies. Every patient has a comprehensive care plan unique to them.Wellstar’s rehabilitation facilities include two CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation programs. At select locations, Wellstar offers highly specialized neuro rehab services such as robotics, therapeutic gardens and music therapy. To care for our patients’ emotional well-being, we also offer stroke support groups and caregiver training programs at select locations.
Learn more about our neurological rehabilitation program.
About
If you suspect you are having a stroke, call 911 immediately.
More than half of all strokes are caused by blockages or narrowing of the carotid arteries, key blood vessels that lie on either side of the neck.
Blockage or narrowing of the carotid arteries may be due to drug or alcohol abuse, diabetes, a family history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, aging and smoking. But carotid artery disease often has no symptoms and many times is not diagnosed until a person actually experiences a mini-stroke.
Why Choose Us
Our stroke program has been recognized nationally by the University HealthSystem Consortium as the best in the United States for care of ischemic stroke.
A multidisciplinary team combining the expertise of our emergency department, neurologists, carotid artery disease specialists, vascular surgeons, radiologists, nurses, rehabilitation and more works together to treat patients with stroke and underlying carotid artery disease.
Treatments
- Surgery. Carotid endocardectomy removes built-up plaque inside the carotid artery. An incision is made on the side of the head with the blocked artery. The artery is opened, the plaque removed and the artery sutured back together, restoring normal blood flow to the brain.
- Minimally invasive procedures. Carotid Artery Angioplasty with Stenting (CAS) requires only a small incision in the groin. A special catheter with a tiny balloon on the tip is inserted into the carotid artery. Once the catheter is in place, the balloon is inflated to flatten the plaque and make a larger opening for improved blood flow. A stent or tiny expandable metal coil may be inserted to keep the artery from closing.
- Embolic prevention devices. Inserted during CAS, these tiny devices catch any clots or small debris that might break loose during angioplasty.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
Our program’s full range of diagnostic tests offer fast, non-invasive screenings to assess blood flow and pinpoint blockages, including:
- Doppler ultrasound and carotid artery duplex scans, which use sound waves to detect abnormal blood flow
- 64-slice CT scanner, advanced technology that can identify blockages within minutes
Other diagnostic tests include angiograms, in which a contrast dye is injected into a vein. Blockages appear during X-ray using a catheter threaded into the blood vessels.
“Wellstar is deeply committed to advancing research, innovation and science for stroke and neurocritical care, while still providing personalized treatment to each patient.”
Dr. Rishi Gupta, Co-Chief of Neuro Care & Director of Cerebrovascular Program
Locations
Wellstar offers a collaborative network of neurological care for strokes and aneurysms across our emergency departments and provides advanced treatment at select locations.
Currently showing 10 total listed locations
- Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center and Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center are recognized as Certified Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Centers — the highest level of stroke certification available — by The Joint Commission.
- Wellstar Cobb Medical Center, Wellstar Spalding Medical Center and Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center are recognized as Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission.
- Our neuro specialists offer aneurysm treatment at Wellstar Neurosurgery locations in Marietta and Roswell.
Currently showing 10 total listed locations