Cerebrovascular Program / Oregon Stroke Center

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is also the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. The Cerebrovascular Program at OHSU specializes in the treatment of stroke and other blood vessel problems affecting the brain and spine.

Treatments include surgical interventions as well as interventional neuroradiology — non-surgical procedures that are minimally invasive. In fact, interventional neuroradiology procedures, such as carotid artery stenting, are now being used to diagnose and treat many vascular problems that once required surgery.

OHSU also is home to the Oregon Stroke Center, which was created in 1979 to provide comprehensive treatment and prevention services to adults who have had a stroke or at risk of stroke. The center’s diverse team of specialists include board-certified neurologists, neurointerventionalists, neurosurgeons and stroke nurses. The team provides 24-7 emergency coverage for strokes in conjunction with the OHSU Emergency Department and other area emergency departments.

OHSU’s cutting edge use of technology and practices for stroke management recently earned the Primary Stroke Center certification designation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The Oregon Stroke Center also received the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines Silver Achievement Award for Stroke.