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Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, often due to longstanding high blood pressure, trauma, age-related blood vessel changes, congenital vascular malformations, or other less common reasons. When an artery bleeds into the brain, surrounding brain cells and tissues do not receive oxygen and nutrients. In addition, pressure builds inside the head, leading to swelling, irritation, and compression of surrounding tissues. About 15 percent of strokes are caused by bleeding. Examples include intracerebral, intraventricular, subarachnoid, subdural, and epidural hemorrhages.

Aided by the results of a thorough neurological exam and brain imaging (CT scan or MRI), our neurointensivists are able to provide rapid, accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment to patients with hemorrhagic stroke to control bleeding and to minimize secondary injury, such as that caused by tissue swelling. The subspecialized medical staff and equipment in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit ensure that patients who have had a hemorrhagic stroke receive continuous monitoring to prevent further brain injury and optimize recovery. Approaches to their care include controlling elevated blood pressure, normalizing blood clotting, controlling brain swelling, enhancing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to brain tissue near the injury, and regulating brain temperature to normal or below-normal levels to protect brain tissue. Patients who require neurosurgery to reduce swelling in the brain benefit from the exceptional skills of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell neurosurgeons.

An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery. While many aneurysms remain undetected, others may cause symptoms by pressing on nearby nerves or other tissue. An aneurysm that ruptures causes a hemorrhagic stroke and requires immediate medical attention.

Our doctors use imaging examinations to monitor the size of an aneurysm. When treatment is necessary, patients may undergo surgical "clipping" or endovascular embolization to stop blood flow to an aneurysm. Patients with ruptured aneurysms are treated in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit to monitor their brain health, minimize secondary brain injury, and reduce the risk of complications.

The severity of a brain injury can range from a mild concussion to severe trauma resulting in coma, disability, or death. Similarly, a spinal cord injury may affect only some function of a single limb, or be so extensive that a patient is unable to move any limb or breathe independently.

Â鶹¸ßÇå and NewYork-Presbyterian is a dedicated Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center and features an integrated team of specialists who are able to care for all types of brain and spine trauma.

Our physicians collaborate with our colleagues in emergency medicine and surgery to immediately stabilize, diagnose, and treat patients who have endured injury to the brain and/or spine. Our approach includes a systematic assessment and a well-defined treatment plan to quickly stabilize the injury and to minimize the risk of secondary injury to nervous tissue.

Rehabilitation begins as soon as possible, often within days of stabilizing the injury, and is provided by a team that includes rehabilitation medicine physicians (physiatrists) and physical, occupational, and speech therapists.