Intraarterial and intravenous thrombolysis involve administration of a medicine to break up blood clots. The difference is that in intravenous thrombolysis, the medicine is given through a vein in the arm or neck. Whereas in intraarterial thrombolysis, the medicine is placed into the blocked artery in the brain via a catheter or tube.
Due to extensive research, physicians now know that if patients are treated immediately after the onset of symptoms from a stroke, permanent damage to the brain may be avoided. The sooner action is taken, the sooner treatment can begin - allowing patients the best chance to survive a stroke and live an enjoyable life.
Once treatment is administered, the patient is sent to the neuro intensive care unit where they will be checked frequently and monitored by staff. Many tests are used to monitor the patient's condition. These tests examine how the brain looks, works, and gets its blood supply. Tests can also show the outline of the injured brain area.
