May is Stroke Awareness Month

During Stroke Awareness Month, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is celebrating 15 years of its Division of Interventional Neuroradiology (DINR) - a specialized program under the MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute. This initiative delivers cutting-edge, minimally invasive therapies for strokes, brain aneurysms, and other intricate vascular issues in the brain and spine. It bolsters the Comprehensive Stroke Center, broadening access to vital, life-saving interventions for local residents. As one of the region's most active stroke facilities, the program excels in efficiency, posting some of the top door-to-needle and door-to-device times in Los Angeles County.

"For 15 years, our experts have transformed complex stroke and neurovascular treatment - blending rapid response, accuracy, and innovation when time is critical for patients in the Long Beach area," stated Gary Duckwiler, M.D., medical director of the Division of Interventional Neuroradiology at MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute, Long Beach Medical Center.

The program's focus on swift action shows in its results. Long Beach Medical Center consistently hits door-to-needle times below 45 minutes - tracking the speed of administering clot-dissolving drugs post-arrival - and door-to-device times under 120 minutes, measuring how fast specialists deploy catheters and tools to reopen blocked vessels and revive brain blood flow for emergency arrivals.

Such quick interventions stem from the Division of Interventional Neuroradiology's expertise in advanced catheter procedures that promptly restore cerebral circulation. Via DINR, the facility manages numerous cases needing intricate techniques like mechanical thrombectomy, carotid and intracranial stenting, plus aneurysm and malformation repairs - options often limited to major academic institutions. In stroke scenarios, every second counts, as blocked blood flow destroys brain cells rapidly; quicker care boosts survival odds and curbs lasting impairments.

Launched in 2011, the DINR has driven progress in endovascular stroke therapy throughout Southern California, leveraging early breakthroughs in neurointerventional techniques forged with University of California, Los Angeles physicians. Now, the group offers round-the-clock consultations and urgent care, partnering seamlessly with emergency, neurology, neurosurgery, imaging, and ICU staff.

"Our sustained success highlights the commitment and teamwork of our diverse specialists," noted Angie West, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, SCRN, ANVP, stroke program manager at MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute, Long Beach Medical Center. "Maintaining this excellence over 15 years underscores a commitment to collaboration, ongoing education, and patient-focused priorities."

The Division of Interventional Neuroradiology assesses and manages adults and children facing acute strokes and other challenging cerebrovascular disorders through minimally invasive catheter methods. From tiny incisions, doctors guide catheters via vessels to pinpoint and resolve clots, aneurysms, and malformations, sidestepping traditional surgery.

Stroke ranks as the fourth top killer and leading adult disability cause in the U.S., underscoring the need for prompt, full-spectrum care to aid survival and rehab. Above acute care, Long Beach Medical Center's Neuroscience Institute prioritizes public outreach, prevention strategies, and quality enhancements, urging recognition of stroke symptoms and immediate 911 calls. Explore stroke signs this Stroke Awareness Month.

About MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center:
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, within the not-for-profit MemorialCare integrated health network, has provided outstanding care for almost 120 years. Employing state-of-the-art protocols, research, and tech, it leads in cancer, cardiac, orthopedics, neurosciences, trauma, and rehab centers. It draws referrals from doctors and nearby hospitals for its certified programs and trains future physicians as a teaching site. Long Beach Medical Center pioneered the world's first robotic hip revision with Stryker's Mako Total Hip 5.0 Advanced Primary and Revision, and was California's first for Stryker's Q Guidance System with Spine Guidance Software. It also pioneers minimally invasive cardiac procedures for quicker recoveries and briefer stays. Accolades include Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals and U.S. News & World Report regional rankings. memorialcare.org/LongBeach

SOURCE MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center