Our Approach to Neurovascular Conditions
The Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Neurovascular Center is one of the leading destinations worldwide for the management of vascular diseases of the brain and spine, including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, venous occlusive disease, vascular malformations, subarachnoid hemorrhages, traumatic injuries and congenital conditions.
We are the first health system from the Bronx to the Hudson Valley to have earned the prestigious Comprehensive Stroke Center designation from the Joint Commission and are among the top three percent of hospitals in the nation to earn this designation. We are the highest-volume stroke center in the New York metropolitan region and treat one of the broadest and most diverse communities in the nation, including traditionally underserved and particularly vulnerable pediatric and adult stroke patients. We’re among the highest-performing centers in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery, and Montefiore Einstein’s Burke Rehabilitation Hospital is ranked in the top one percent of all U.S. hospitals for rehabilitation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, we are recipients of the highest standard for rehabilitation medicine, a three-year designation granted by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
The Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Neurovascular Center team is led by internationally renowned vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, as well as diagnostic and interventional neuroradiologists, neuro-anesthesiologists, rehabilitation specialists and neurocritical care physicians who use the most advanced and emerging imaging technology and procedures to diagnose and treat patients of all ages who suffer from complex, life-threatening neurovascular conditions. We offer a complete array of state-of-the-art solutions for the full spectrum of neurovascular diseases, including endovascular, open, minimally invasive and hybrid surgeries.
Groundbreaking Stroke Research, Clinical Trials & Education
An internationally recognized leader in stroke research, we are spearheading and participating in numerous clinical trials to advance promising interventions for stroke prevention, treatment, recovery and rehabilitation for patients with or at risk of a stroke across all stages of life.
Montefiore Einstein is a founding partner and key member of the New York City Collaborative Regional Coordinating Center (NYCC-RCC), the largest National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded multi-institutional consortium dedicated to stroke prevention, treatment, education and rehabilitation efforts to reduce the burden of stroke on children and adults throughout the country. Distinguished as an inaugural NIH StrokeNet Regional Coordinating Center since the inception of this highly competitive NIH initiative (StrokeNet) in 2013, we are among an elite group of only 27 centers in the nation to be awarded a five-year grant funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). As one of the top NIH StrokeNet centers enrolling minority groups to ensure that a diverse population of patients is represented in our clinical trials, we are committed to serving children and adults who are underrepresented in stroke research, and to advancing culturally sensitive interventions and protocols for populations most at risk for stroke. We also continue to develop interdisciplinary endovascular platforms, new devices and intersectional strategies for conducting ultra-rapid clinical trials.
A collaborative effort between the NIH and Montefiore Einstein, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York University School of Medicine and other affiliated institutions and partner sites, our Regional Coordinating Center encompasses all boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island and Upstate New York, as well as Nashville, TN, and we continue to expand our network, leadership, and influence.
At the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Neurovascular Center, we are also leaders in education, advancing programs and training for the next generation of top multidisciplinary experts in stroke care.
Recognized Expertise
Our elite multidisciplinary neurovascular experts have advanced fellowship training, experience and expertise in the latest technologies and techniques for treating strokes, aneurysms and vascular malformations, among other conditions. We are also one of few centers in the nation whose specialists have been trained through fellowship programs focused on endovascular techniques.
More information about the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Advanced Neurovascular Treatments
Patients are initially evaluated by neurologists with subspecialty training in stroke and endovascular neurology. They will determine if the patient needs urgent medical treatment, minimally invasive endovascular treatment or open surgical/neurosurgical treatment.
At the Montefiore Einstein Neurovascular Center, individualized treatment plans are designed to return our patients to health as quickly as possible. Many of the, both surgical and nonsurgical, treatments we offer include the following:
- Aneurysm clipping
- Aneurysm coiling
- Balloon angioplasty for cerebral vasospasm
- Balloon test occlusion for head and neck cancer or giant intracranial aneurysms
- Carotid endarterectomy for carotid stenosis
- Diagnostic angiography
- Embolization for epistaxis
- Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) procedure for Moyamoya disease
- Endovascular diagnostic testing for migraine headache disorder
- Endovascular treatment of aneurysm
- Endovascular treatment of arteriovenous malformations
- Endovascular treatment of brain and spine arteriovenous malformations
- Endovascular treatment of carotid stenosis
- Endovascular treatment of dural arteriovenous malformations
- Endovascular treatment of stroke
- Extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass for Moyamoya disease and giant intracranial aneurysms
- Intra-arterial chemotherapy
- Pipeline flow-diverter stent
- Preoperative embolization for vascular tumors
- Sclerotherapy for lymphatic and venous malformations of the head and neck
- Stenting for aneurysms
- Stenting for carotid artery disease
- Stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis
- Stenting for venous sinus stenosis
- Stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations
- Surgical removal of arteriovenous malformations
- Wada testing for tumors and seizures
Research & Clinical Trials
An NIH StrokeNet Regional Coordinating Center, the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Stroke Center participates in several NIH- and industry-funded stroke clinical trials and registries. In 2020, the vascular neurology and neurological surgery faculty published 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including many describing the novel aspects of stroke associated with COVID-19.
Your Comprehensive Neurovascular Center Team
David J. Altschul, MD
Daniel Antoniello, MD
Charles C. Esenwa, MD
Daniel L. Labovitz, MD
About Stroke
A stroke is a brain attack. It is a sudden interruption of continuous blood flow to the brain and a medical emergency. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or narrowed, or when a blood vessel bursts and spills blood into the brain. Just like a heart attack, a stroke requires immediate medical attention.
Some brain cells die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients needed to function. Other brain cells die because they are damaged by sudden bleeding in or around the brain. Some brain cells die quickly, but many linger in a compromised or weakened state for several hours. Stroke causes permanent brain damage over minutes to hours.
With stroke, “time is brain,” meaning that the sooner treatment begins, the better. Knowing the signs of stroke and calling 911 immediately can help save a relative, neighbor or friend. With timely treatment it is possible to save these cells and greatly reduce and reverse the damage.