Facts About Stroke and the NYU Stroke Center

1. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability.
   A stroke, or “brain attack,” is caused by interruption of the blood supply to the brain due to a clot (ischemic stroke) or leakage of blood into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).
   
   
2. Treatment for acute ischemic stroke includes the clot-busting drug rt-PA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator).
   To aid ischemic stroke recovery this medication is most effective and safest to use when it’s administered within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms.
   
   
3. Less than 5 percent of people who suffer a stroke reach the hospital in time to be considered for rt-PA treatment.
   By designating selected hospitals as Primary Stroke Centers, the Department of Health hopes to significantly increase the number of stroke victims who receive rt-PA in time.
   
   
4. NYU Medical Center is the first hospital in Manhattan to be designated a Primary Stroke Center by the New York State Department of Health.
   This designation—similar to those used for burn and trauma centers—recognizes NYU for its outstanding efforts in stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
   
   
5. Any suspected stroke victim within 20 minutes of transport to NYU Medical Center will automatically be brought to the NYU Stroke Center by the New York City’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
   This will help to ensure that such patients are treated by medical personnel who are specially trained and equipped to diagnose a stroke accurately and treat it promptly.
   
   
6. The NYU Stroke Center integrates services throughout NYU Medical Center.
   In the Emergency Department, a new high speed CT scanner quickly identifies if a patient is safe to receive the clot busting treatment, rt-PA. In the Acute Stroke Unit located on the east wing of the 17th floor of Tisch Hospital, specially- trained interdisciplinary team provides 24-hour care. In the Rusk Institute, a 30-bed rehabilitation unit provides comprehensive services. The result is a seamless continuum of care.