MISSION
The Cerebrovascular and Neurointerventional Research Laboratory is dedicated to pioneering advancements in the field of Neurointerventional surgery. Our research team is deeply committed to enhancing clinical practices and outcomes for patients suffering from a spectrum of cerebrovascular disorders, including stroke, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, unruptured aneurysms, carotid artery disease, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), and other related conditions. Through our focused clinical research, we strive to forge new frontiers in endovascular treatments and patient care.
Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez
Associate Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Radiology
President-Elect, Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology
Vice Chair, Mechanical Thrombectomy 2020+ Initiative
Director of Neurointerventional Surgery in Neurology
Director, Neuroendovascular Surgical Neuroradiology Fellowship
Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Radiology
Interview Spotlight – How MAP-STROKE Could Change Stroke Triage Forever
We’re happy to share that our lab director was interviewed at ESOC 2025 about the MAP-STROKE project—a major NIH-funded initiative redefining how EMS teams triage stroke patients before they ever reach a hospital.
In this 3-minute conversation, he explains:
How the algorithm integrates real-time field data and hospital capabilities
Why LVO and non-LVO patients need different routing
The science behind over 300 million simulated strokes across the U.S.
What the model showed: shorter treatment delays, better outcomes, especially in rural areas
Why a clinical trial is the next vital step
📰 Learn more about MAP-STROKE in the official ESOC press release HERE
🧠 Time is Brain – MAP-STROKE Algorithm Promises Faster, Smarter Stroke Triage
At ESOC 2025 in Helsinki, our team presented the MAP-STROKE study—an ambitious simulation-based trial modeling over 115 million stroke scenarios across the U.S. The result? A hospital destination algorithm that could improve neurological outcomes for thousands of stroke patients each year.
Led by Dr. Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez, Dr. Nicholas Mohr, Dr. Grant Brown and colleagues, MAP-STROKE significantly outperformed current American Heart Association guidelines, especially in rural areas where time-to-treatment is often longest.
Key findings:
- Personalized EMS routing improved outcomes across stroke subtypes
- LVO patients in rural areas saw up to 3 hours saved
- Estimated 10,000+ more patients could achieve good recovery annually
This reinforces a central truth in stroke care—every minute counts. Optimizing triage could be one of the most impactful decisions made before a patient even reaches the hospital.
Contact Us
We are always looking for people/teams to collaborate with! If interested in joining the lab please email our PI with a letter of interest including your CV, research interests, and future goals.
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