In most cases, surgery is not used to treat a stroke, because brain tissue is destroyed quickly when the blood flow is blocked to an area of the brain.

Exceptions include:

• Surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm that has caused bleeding into the brain.
• Carotid endarterectomy:
• Usually performed after a TIA to reduce the risk for stroke
• Procedure removes tissue that blocks the flow of blood inside of the arteries
• May prevent further strokes due to carotid artery disease
• Carotid artery stent:
• Placement of a mesh-like stent into the artery to open it up
• May reduce risk of stroke due to carotid artery disease