"The launching of our neurointerventional radiology services
enhances the outstanding stroke care that Memorial provides," said
Marjorie Calvetti, the hospital's director of medical imaging
services, said. "This allows us to provide more comprehensive stroke
care and to more effectively partner with other community hospitals
in central Illinois as we work together to provide a rapid response
to treat patients." Neurointerventional radiology uses minimally
invasive technologies to diagnose and treat strokes caused by blood
clots. Clots are identified in the brain, using advanced medical
imaging, such as CT scanners. Once clots have been evaluated,
neurointerventional radiologists are able to treat them using
different techniques.
"One way to treat stroke is through the use of a clot-busting
drug, but this drug takes time to be effective. The larger the clot,
the longer the time for the drug to take effect," said Augusto
Elias, D.D.S., M.D., neurointerventional radiologist with Clinical
Radiologists, S.C. "Another technique is the threading of tiny
catheters and wires through a patient's blood vessels to eliminate
clots and restore blood flow to the brain."
In addition to treating stroke caused by blood clots,
neurointerventional radiologists diagnose and treat other brain
disorders such as aneurysms and tumors.
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The team assembled to treat stroke involves the collaborative
effort of many physicians and support staff. Elias, who recently
joined Clinical Radiologists, strengthens the comprehensiveness of
the hospital's stroke program.
Sajjad Mueed, M.D., serves as medical director of the Memorial
Stroke Center and specializes in adult neurology. In addition, other
interventional radiologists trained in this advanced technique
include Robert Burke, M.D., and Casey Muehle, M.D., both with
Clinical Radiologists. Craig Russo, M.D., neuroradiologist with
Clinical Radiologists, serves as the medical director of medical
imaging for Memorial Medical Center and Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital in Lincoln.
Amanda Conn is a registered nurse who serves as program
coordinator for neuromuscular sciences at Memorial Stroke Center.
[Text from file received from
Memorial Medical Center]
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