Winchester Medical Center also provides state of the art physician expertise and technology in the treatment of stroke and conditions that may contribute to stroke, like carotid artery disease and brain aneurysms. Interventional Neurology is a subspecialty of Neurology for minimally-invasive treatment of diseases of arteries and veins of brain. This specialty uses technology similar to a cardiac catheterization. Andre Fredieu, MD (Valley Health Neurovascular Institute) is an interventional neurologist, board certified in Neurology with training in vascular and stroke neurology or neurocritical care (1-2 years). He then received training in neurointerventional procedures for an additional two year period. Neurointerventional procedures performed by Dr. Fredieu include aneurysm coiling, clot removal, and intra-arterial TPA administration.

The MERCI Retrieval System is a FDA approved device for restoring blood flow in the brain by removing blood clots in patients who are having a stroke. Our interventional neurology team is specially trained in the use of this device which may significantly reduce disability and improve outcomes in certain stroke patients who are assessed as good candidates for this procedure. In most cases this treatment needs to be started within 8 hours of stroke symptom onset.

Intra-arterial TPA is also an available treatment for restoring blood flow to the brain in some patients having a stroke. The clot busting drug may be given to the patient through an artery by the interventional neurology team within 3-6 hours of stroke symptom onset.