After a stroke

Spectrum Health is a regional leader in comprehensive stroke care and is the highest volume stroke center in the state of Michigan. Spectrum Health Neurovascular Clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach that embraces the patient’s care across the neurovascular spectrum. We manage post stroke symptoms, secondary prevention of stroke both medically and surgically. Our multidisciplinary approach allows the patient to have full access to all the physicians that can treat the simplest diagnosis to the most complicated diagnosis. One of the best advantages of this approach is having that access all in one location. 

We specialize in individualized care to offer support from the onset of your symptoms through your recovery and beyond. Our service also offers a stroke nurse navigator who may connect with you after discharge from the hospital to help with a transition to outpatient care.

Medication management

Antiplatelet and anticoagulants
close icon

Antiplatelet and anticoagulants are blood thinners that help improve your blood flow―reducing your risk of stroke.

Cholesterol-lowering medicine
close icon

Cholesterol-lowering medicine improves recovery after an ischemic stroke and decreases the risk of having another stroke.

Follow-up

Talk with your primary care doctor
close icon

Talk with your primary care doctor or specialist neurologist to understand your medicine. Know their names, why you're taking them and what they look like. If you're having trouble paying for your medicine, ask for information regarding resources to help pay for your pills.

Other treatments

Vivistim Paired VNS System

Vivistim is the first FDA-approved neurostimulation device to pair vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with patients’ rehabilitation therapy and daily activities. This Paired VNS therapy helps strengthen the brain connections needed to improve hand and arm function. It’s the only Paired VNS system of its kind, and Corewell Health is the first health system in Michigan to implant the device.

What is it?
close icon

The Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System is intended to improve motor function in chronic ischemic stroke patients with moderate to severe arm impairment. Studies indicate VNS paired with therapy generates 2X to 3x more improvement in hand and arm function than traditional rehabilitation alone1.

Proven safe and effective, some patients report improvement in as little as two to three weeks. After the typical, in-clinic rehabilitation a few times a week for about six weeks, on-going at-home use can lead to greater improvement in arm/hand function.

Learn more about this amazing, award winning device and therapy.

  1. Dawson et al. Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for upper limb motor function after ischemic stroke (VNS-REHAB): a randomized, blinded, pivotal, device trial. Lancet. 2021; 397 1545–1553.
Eligibility for this treatment
close icon
  • From 18 to 80 years of age.
  • Previously diagnosed with a unilateral (single side) chronic supratentorial ischemic stroke for six months or longer.
  • Has impaired mobility in upper extremities.

Learn more about this amazing, award winning device and therapy.

  1. Dawson et al. Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for upper limb motor function after ischemic stroke (VNS-REHAB): a randomized, blinded, pivotal, device trial. Lancet. 2021; 397 1545–1553.
How it works
close icon

Millions of stroke survivors suffer from continued impairment in their hands and arms at three to six months following a stroke. This is often called a recovery plateau, which means their condition stops improving. At this point, the problem isn’t in the strength of the muscles but in the brain or the nerves. Research indicates that moving past the recovery plateau requires neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to form new neural pathways.1

VNS paired with therapy to treat stroke is designed to boost the brain’s neural activity to build lasting connections that continue to work even when the vagus nerve stimulator is not in use.

Here's how:

  • Studies indicate VNS paired with therapy generates 2X to 3x more improvement in hand and arm function than traditional rehabilitation alone1. 
  • First, a small device is implanted in the upper-chest region, just under the skin with two, small incisions in a same-day, outpatient procedure.
  • After a short recovery time, the patient begins a specialized (6-week) rehabilitation program. During rehab, the therapist activates the device with a gentle pulse to stimulate the vagus nerve while the patient performs exercises or real-world tasks. This helps the brain strengthen or create new neural pathways.

Learn more about this amazing, award winning device and therapy.

  1. Dawson et al. Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for upper limb motor function after ischemic stroke (VNS-REHAB): a randomized, blinded, pivotal, device trial. Lancet. 2021; 397 1545–1553.
Patient journey
close icon

We evaluate each of our patients carefully to ensure VNS paired with therapy to treat stroke is the best next step on their journey to a better quality of life:

  • Patient gets referred for initial screening - Patient can “self-refer” using the phone number below or have their primary care provider or neurologist refer patients to Corewell Health Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation to be evaluated for Paired VNS therapy. 
  • Occupational therapy evaluation -  patient is evaluated on current hand and arm function to be a candidate for Paired VNS therapy. 
  • Surgical consultation and scheduling – patient meets with the surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for the implantation procedure.
  • Occupational therapy sessions - starting 7-10 days post-op, patient must complete 18 sessions of therapy over a 6-week period ( 90-minute sessions, 3x/week). 

Learn more about this amazing, award winning device and therapy.

  1. Dawson et al. Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for upper limb motor function after ischemic stroke (VNS-REHAB): a randomized, blinded, pivotal, device trial. Lancet. 2021; 397 1545–1553.

From prevention, intervention, recovery, and rehabilitation, we can help.

Know the signs and symptoms and B.E. F.A.S.T.

Stroke can happen to anyone. Know the signs

Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes

Face: Sudden drooping on one side of the face
Arms: Sudden weakness in one arm or leg
Speech: Sudden trouble with speech or understanding
Time: Time to call 911

Be Fast

Contact Our Clinic

For more information or to schedule an appointment