TNC has been a leader in stroke care in the DFW area for over 20 years. We helped establish the Fort Worth Area Stroke Council and maintain stroke programs at Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth and Medical City Fort Worth.
Our team is dedicated to excellent care, stroke prevention education, and advancing treatment through research. We also provide diagnosis and management of stroke and other vascular neurology disorders in our outpatient clinic.
Specialists
Dr. Asad Ikram
Board-Certified Neurologist, Vascular Neurology
Team
All our physicians treat stroke and vascular disorders, with above specialists focused exclusively on this area.
Services
Tests for Vascular Neurology
To evaluate stroke risk or effects, your physician may perform:
- Physical & Neurological Exam: Reflexes, walking, eye movement, and cognitive testing
- Blood Tests: Check clotting, blood sugar, and infections
- CT Scan & CT Angiography: Detailed brain images and blood vessels
- MRI & MR Angiography/Venography: Detect brain tissue damage and blood flow
- Carotid Ultrasound: Assess plaque and blood flow in neck arteries
- Echocardiogram: Check the heart for clots that may cause strokes
Treatment
Emergency Stroke Medication
In the ER, doctors work quickly to diagnose stroke type and may give IV recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA, alteplase/Activase) to dissolve blood clots causing ischemic strokes.
tPA is most effective within 3 hours of symptom onset, but can sometimes be given up to 4.5 hours. Prompt treatment restores blood flow, improving recovery and reducing complications, while doctors assess risks like brain bleeding.
Post-Stroke Care
Our team works with you, your family, and your primary care physician to create a personalized treatment plan. We monitor progress, manage medications, and address short- and long-term effects of strokes. Outpatient neurorehabilitation and follow-up testing help recover and reduce the risk of future strokes.
Team Approach to Stroke Care
Your care is led by fellowship-trained neurologists and supported by a multidisciplinary team, including therapists, neuro pharmacists, social workers, and psychologists, to provide comprehensive, personalized care.
FAQ
What is Vascular Neurology?
Vascular neurologists specialize in disorders of the brain and spinal cord blood vessels. They diagnose and treat conditions such as ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, TIAs, aneurysms, AVMs, carotid artery disease, and inherited stroke disorders.