A stroke is an emergency. When every minute counts, make sure you can recognize the signs of stroke with B.E. F.A.S.T.
A stroke occurs when a vessel in the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts. During a stroke, blood flow is cut off to the brain, brain tissue is starved for oxygen and parts of the brain begin to die. Nearly 2 million brain cells die each minute a stroke goes untreated, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death.
While several area hospitals are equipped to treat strokes, the Comprehensive Stroke Center at MemorialCare
Long Beach Medical Center offers the highest level of care to quickly assess and treat patients suffering from a stroke – making each minute count.
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When a patient is brought to Long Beach Medical Center by ambulance, a multi-disciplinary team awaits their arrival in a dedicated stroke treatment room in the Emergency Department, ready to spring into action. The team is assembled with the guidance of highly trained, specialized stroke nurses.
Patients are immediately assessed by neurologists in the dedicated stroke treatment room, which is equipped with telemedicine technology – making the neurologists’ expertise available 24/7. Ensuring no time is wasted in diagnosis – every second counts.
Using a 320 slice computed tomography (CT) scanner, areas of the brain affected by a stroke are diagnosed in minutes. These images are used to determine the best course of treatment.
- Nima Ramezan, M.D., medical director, Comprehensive Stroke Center
- Nirav Patel, M.D.
- Omid Omidvar, M.D.
- Michael Thompson, M.D.
- Mohan Tadikonda, M.D.
- Parissa Vassef, M.D.
- Banafsheh Yafeh, M.D.
The type of treatment depends on the type of stroke. However, the most common is an ischemic stroke, accounting for 87 percent of all strokes. In the case of an ischemic stroke, the treatment goal is to bust or remove the clot.
That’s where our Division of Interventional Neuroradiology steps in. Our specialists developed several techniques and devices at University of California, Los Angeles, and have brought their expertise to our patients here in Long Beach. This includes the first device approved for use in opening brain vessels in acute stroke and a coiling technique for brain aneurysms.
Learn more about our Division of Interventional Neuroradiology.
- Gary Duckwiler, M.D., medical director, Division of Interventional Neuroradiology
- Reza Jahan, M.D.
- May Nour, M.D., Ph.D.
- Viktor Szeder, M.D., Ph.D., MSc
- Satoshi Tateshima, M.D.
Watch Our Comprehensive Stroke Center in Action
Watch Our Comprehensive Stroke Center in Action
While several area hospitals are equipped to treat strokes, the Comprehensive Stroke Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center offers the highest level of care to quickly assess and treat patients suffering from a stroke – making each minute count.