Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases Division
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center launched a coordinated cerebrovascular diseases program in 1999 led by Drs. Ralph Greenlee and Hal Unwin. The Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases Division of the Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics has been steadily growing in size and reputation ever since, and there are now 14 faculty members. Neurologists throughout Texas and the region refer their most complex stroke cases to the program for treatment.
The division, led by Mark Johnson, MD, is made up of expertly-trained neurologists, imaging specialists, nurses, and technicians. Stroke teams use a multidisciplinary approach to treat all forms of stroke and blood vessel disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. Patients at Parkland Hospital, UT Southwestern University Hospital–Zale Lipshy and UT Southwestern University Hospital–St. Paul receive expert care coupled with state-of-the-art technology.
In 2010, the program achieved a major milestone when The Joint Commission certified University Hospital–St. Paul as a Primary Stroke Center. The certification is a distinction for hospitals fostering specialized stroke care for patients.
Also in 2010, Parkland Hospital's stroke unit earned recognition from the American Heart Association /American Stroke Association with a Gold Plus Award for the high level of care given to stroke patients.
Research
UT Southwestern’s Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics is committed to cutting-edge research in the field of stroke and cerebrovascular disease. The university’s groundbreaking research often leads to advancements in diagnostic techniques and treatments that improve assessment and recovery from nervous system diseases.
Multiple clinical stroke research trials are under way across all phases of stroke care—acute treatment, secondary prevention, and recovery/rehabilitation. The research trials give patients the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge cerebrovascular medicine.
Research initiatives continue to expand with the additions of two researchers to the section in 2010. The program is also developing an innovative Neuro-Models Facility (NMF) for the UT Southwestern research community. The NMF will provide resources and services for investigators who want to test new treatments for diseases of the nervous system.
Education
Our residents and fellows gain in-patient clinical experience at Parkland Hospital and University Hospital–Zale Lipshy while outpatient clinical training takes place at Aston’s Cerebrovascular Diseases Clinic with the support of the Mobility Foundation Stroke Program.
Parkland Hospital is a 983-bed, public, tax-supported institution that provides a high volume of complex and challenging stroke cases. At University Hospital–Zale Lipshy, approximately 300 aneurysm and 45 arterio-venous malformation cases are treated each year—more than any other facility in North America.
Our specialists participate in weekly multidisciplinary meetings where physicians, medical faculty, and other experts present the latest research findings on stroke diagnosis, evaluation and treatment. Residents and fellows meet monthly to review topics and cases of complex management of cerebrovascular diseases and stroke.
We offer a one-year, ACGME-accredited vascular neurology fellowship that provides comprehensive training in the management of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases.
Patient Care
Our physicians provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for complex stroke cerebrovascular disease cases from the time of a patient's earliest symptoms to recovery.
The acute stroke unit at University Hospital–Zale Lipshy includes all private rooms and neurosurgery suites. There is also a 20-bed neurocritical care unit.
University Hospital–Zale Lipshy and UT Southwestern Medical Center offer carotid and transcranial doppler, computed tomography angiography, 3-D rotational angiography, high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance perfusion, and diagnostic and interventional cerebral angiography.