Stroke & Aneurysm Care at Wellstar

People who experience a stroke or aneurysm may be confused, slur their speech, or have a severe headache as well as other alarming symptoms. Because strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States, it’s important to get help right away when you notice the warning signs of a stroke.

At Wellstar, we understand how getting fast, expert stroke care can mean the difference between life, death or lasting damage. That’s why our expert medical team is trained to treat strokes safely and effectively.

Our patients benefit from specialized treatment and rehabilitation available at the largest Joint Commission Stroke Certified hospital network in Georgia.

Wellstar Kennestone Hospital—one of only four Comprehensive Stroke Centers in Georgia—and Wellstar North Fulton Hospital now offer the highest level of stroke and aneurysm care for the most complicated and complex cases. For those experiencing ischemic strokes, patients can find world-class treatment and leading expertise at our four Primary Stroke Centers, including Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, Wellstar Cobb Hospital, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital and Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital.

Our team can treat patients with the most up-to-date stroke interventions within 24 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. Within 4.5 hours, a patient can receive alteplase—also known as TPA—a medicine that helps bust blood clots. If the TPA doesn’t work or a patient arrives after the 4.5 hour window, our neurointerventionalists at Wellstar Kennestone and North Fulton hospitals can use advanced methods to extract clots or treat an aneurysm.

Understanding Strokes & Aneurysms

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a blood clot, stopping the brain from getting blood and oxygen, which can kill healthy tissue. A ruptured brain aneurysm can lead to bleeding in the brain, resulting in a hemorrhagic stroke.

Advanced Treatment & Technology

Wellstar employs one of the most diverse and skilled teams of neurological specialists. This expert team has access to the best technology and treatments for patients who require advanced care.

Minimally-invasive treatment

Wellstar is one of only four programs in the state that offer neuroendovascular treatment. These minimally invasive procedures can treat complex conditions without fully opening patients’ skulls.

When performing a thrombectomy, a skilled neurointerventionalist guides a tiny catheter from the patient’s groin to the clot in the brain. The goal is to remove the clot and restore blood flow to the blocked area to help prevent disability or death.

State-of-the-art biplane imaging

Wellstar is a leader in stroke care and offers advanced technology for complex cases, such as state-of-the-art neurointerventional biplane suites. Available at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, this specialized treatment produces detailed 3D views of blood vessels deep within the brain. This helps our specialists diagnose patients accurately, and enables our team to perform complex procedures such as thrombectomies and brain aneurysm repair.

Artificial intelligence & EEG monitoring

Wellstar has multiple hospitals that provide around-the-clock EEG readings to monitor patients’ brain activity continuously.

Wellstar also uses artificial intelligence (AI) in its imaging scanners. If a stroke is identified, our team of neurologists are alerted before a radiologist reads the image. This allows experts to intervene quickly to preserve the patient’s brain.

Cerebrovascular & Neurocritical Care

When a person experiences a complex stroke, aneurysm or brain injury, every second counts. That’s why our expert Neuro Care team delivers cerebrovascular and neurocritical care as quickly and safely as possible.

Our team of cerebrovascular and endovascular physicians have the expertise and experience to treat many complicated neurological conditions. As part of the largest Joint Commission Stroke Certified hospital network in Georgia, Wellstar offers many leading treatments, including thrombectomy and alteplase (TPA) therapy.

Patients with the most complex stroke cases are cared for at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, which both offer the highest level of stroke care.

Learn more about cerebrovascular and neurocritical care at Wellstar.

Neurological Rehabilitation

After experiencing a stroke or aneurysm, many patients may require neurological rehabilitation as part of their personalized care plan. Wellstar has 55 rehabilitation facilities to support patients during their recovery, including two CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation programs at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and Wellstar Cobb Hospital.

Wellstar offers highly specialized neuro rehab services at select locations, such as robotics, therapeutic gardens and music therapy. Along with traditional treatment, these integrated therapies can help improve a patient’s strength, coordination, balance and other cognitive skills during the recovery process.

To care for our patients’ emotional well-being, Wellstar also offers stroke support groups and a Stroke Peer Visitor program for patients and their family members in Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Bartow and Douglas counties. A Caregiver Training Program, facilitated by a rehabilitation neuropsychologist, helps family members adjust to their new roles as caregivers.

Learn more about our neurological rehabilitation program.