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Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease Care

At Mass General Brigham, we take a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular diseases and conditions. Diseases we treat include stroke, brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformation, and more.

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Expert stroke and cerebrovascular disease care

Cerebrovascular disease affects the brain's blood vessels and can lead to serious events such as stroke or a brain bleed, which occurs when a blood clot or damaged blood vessel disrupts blood flow to the brain.

Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute specialists provide personalized, comprehensive care for cerebrovascular disease. We treat a wide range of conditions and complexities, including complex stroke and advanced vascular disorders, using coordinated, multidisciplinary care plans tailored to each patient.

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Part of the Neuroscience Institute
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Our approach to stroke and cerebrovascular care

At the Neuroscience Institute, we take a holistic and evidence-based approach to your care to support long-term brain health.
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Team approach centered on you

Living with cerebrovascular disease can be difficult. It can affect movement, speech, thinking, and independence.

Our multidisciplinary team takes a patient-centered approach to care focused on timely diagnosis, treatment, recovery, prevention, and long-term quality of life. We help many patients regain function and maintain independence.

Multidisciplinary expertise across cerebrovascular disease

Our team includes renowned neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, and rehabilitation specialists, many of whom have subspecialty expertise in cerebrovascular disease.

This team-based approach supports accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, and coordinated follow-up for complex cerebrovascular conditions.

Advanced diagnostic imaging

At the Neuroscience Institute, advanced imaging helps our teams quickly determine which treatments are most likely to help, especially in complex or time-sensitive cases.

Mass General Brigham specialists have helped advance imaging techniques that allow providers to better evaluate brain function, blood flow, and tissue injury. These include innovations in MRI and CT imaging, such as perfusion imaging, which help assess how quickly brain injury is progressing and guide treatment decisions.

Ongoing work in neuroimaging continues to improve how stroke is diagnosed and managed, including approaches that support faster evaluation and more precise treatment planning.

Life-saving emergency stroke care

Some cerebrovascular conditions, like stroke, require prompt care to preserve life and protect brain function. Our specialists work closely with emergency departments to provide rapid care to patients at our medical centers and community hospitals. Our neuro-intensive care units provide 24/7 monitoring and specialized care.

In some cases, advanced endovascular treatments may be used to help restore blood flow to the brain when delivered quickly, supporting better outcomes.

Treatment options for complex cerebrovascular diseases

Treatment varies based on the type, location, and complexity of cerebrovascular disease. Care options may include:

  • Emergency stroke treatments
  • Procedures to restore or improve blood flow, such as angioplasty or carotid endarterectomy
  • Endovascular treatments, including coil embolization
  • Surgery for aneurysms or other complex vascular conditions
  • Clinical trials evaluating cutting edge treatments
Ongoing care, prevention, and recovery

In non-emergency cases, we support patients through rehabilitation, risk-factor management, and long-term follow-up. Treatments may include medications, surgery, or a combination of both.

In addition, we provide education and tools to help you improve your overall health and reduce future risk, with the goal of helping you live a full life with minimal impact from cerebrovascular disease.

Advancing worldwide understanding of stroke

Specialists at Mass General Brigham have played a key role in advancing how stroke causes are identified and classified. This includes improving understanding of different stroke types and syndromes, as well as conditions such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

Understanding the cause of stroke helps guide treatment decisions, prevention strategies, and long-term care.

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Our approach

Stroke and cerebrovascular expertise

Advanced stroke and cerebrovascular disease care across the Neuroscience Institute
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Nationally recognized cerebrovascular care
Mass General Brigham hospitals are consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for excellence in cerebrovascular disease care.
Certified stroke centers
Mass General Brigham academic medical centers are recognized as Comprehensive Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Primary stroke centers
Five of our community hospitals are recognized as Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Rapid stroke access
Mass General Brigham developed the first TeleStroke program in the US, allowing stroke specialists to participate virtually in the evaluation of patients with early symptoms. All our hospitals have access to specialists through TeleStroke and TeleNeurology, which help speed evaluation and treatment when transfer for advanced stroke care is needed. When it is not, patients can receive stroke care locally.
Clinical trial access
Mass General Brigham has been at the forefront of clinical innovation, pioneering devices for cerebrovascular diseases through our clinical trials. Our academic medical centers participate in StrokeNET, an NIH clinical trials program evaluating new treatments to improve stroke outcomes. We are also developing next generation robotics to deliver precision endovascular care and remote surgeries.
AVM surgery
Our surgical research in augmented reality and intraoperative neuromonitoring has allowed us to operate on and completely cure AVMs that would otherwise be considered inoperable.
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Our specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of cerebrovascular conditions that affect the blood vessels of the brain. Care is tailored to each condition and may include emergency treatment, ongoing management, and long-term follow-up. The conditions and treatments listed below are a sampling and do not represent the full range of care available.
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Conditions and treatments

Our neuroscience specialists

Your care is coordinated by a team of specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, advanced brain imaging, and nursing. Depending on your condition, your care team may also include experts in neuropsychology, rehabilitation, genetics, social work, and mental health. This team works together to understand your neurological condition from every angle and develop a care plan tailored to you.
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Specialists
Our care teams provide comprehensive, compassionate care for cerebrovascular disease, from emergency treatment to prevention and recovery. No matter your age, health, or your conditions, we help you manage cerebrovascular disease and live your best quality of life.

  • Cardio-Neurology Program

    The Mass General Brigham Cardio-Neurology Program provides neurological evaluation and care for conditions where heart health affects brain function, including stroke related to patent foramen ovale (PFO).

  • Young Adult Stroke Program

    The Mass General Brigham Young Adult Stroke Program provides care for the unique medical and life needs of people who experience a stroke at a younger age, typically between 18 and 55.

  • Brain Aneurysm Program

    Our brain aneurysm specialists help prevent rupture and reduce stroke risk through personalized, multidisciplinary care. Learn more and request an appointment.

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services

    Access comprehensive physical medicine and rehabilitation care at Mass General Brigham and Spaulding Rehabilitation in Greater Boston.

  • Stroke Rehabilitation Program

    The Stroke Rehabilitation Program at Spaulding treats a range of neurological disorders including stroke in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Learn more.

  • Neuro-Critical Care Program

    Find expert neurocritical care for life-threatening neurologic conditions. Our multidisciplinary teams provide 24/7 care in dedicated neuroscience ICUs.

  • Stroke and Carotid Artery Disease Program

    Get specialized treatment and emergency care at the Mass General Brigham Stroke and Carotid Artery Disease Program. We offer advanced endovascular treatments.

  • Young Adult Stroke Program

    The Mass General Brigham Young Adult Stroke Program provides care for the unique medical and life needs of people who experience a stroke at a younger age, typically between 18 and 55.

  • Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Program

    The Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Program at Mass General Brigham for Children cares for premature infants, children or adolescents who have had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

  • Cardio-Neurology Program

    The Mass General Brigham Cardio-Neurology Program provides neurological evaluation and care for conditions where heart health affects brain function, including stroke related to patent foramen ovale (PFO).

  • Neurological Rehabilitation Program

    Neurological rehabilitation at Spaulding involves skilled physical, occupational and speech/language therapy services for a range of neurological disorders. Learn more.

  • Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program

    The Brain Injury Program at Spaulding provides state-of-the-art brain injury rehabilitative care working towards helping each patient return to an independent life.

  • Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Program

    Access recent advances in vascular surgery at Mass General Brigham, including the latest treatments for a range of heart and vascular conditions.

  • Brain Aneurysm Program

    Our brain aneurysm specialists help prevent rupture and reduce stroke risk through personalized, multidisciplinary care. Learn more and request an appointment.

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Services and programs

Neuroscience clinical trials and research

Our research is shaping the future of neuroscience care. We offer access to clinical trials and emerging therapies, including treatments that may not yet be widely available. Eligibility depends on a person’s diagnosis, treatment history, and more. Explore our research and clinical trials or talk with your care team to learn about available options.
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Explore our neuroscience research

Learn how neuroscience research informs patient care

https://research.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/institutes-centers/neuroscience-institute
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Search clinical trials

Search open clinical trials for neurological conditions

https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/
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Research

Events, information sessions, and support groups

Find opportunities to learn, connect with others, and get support throughout your care journey.
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Explore articles featuring expert insights on neuroscience, patient experiences, and tips for managing a neurological diagnosis.

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Contact the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease Service

Call us to speak with a team member who can help you understand your options and guide you to the care that is right for you. With locations throughout New England and support for patients traveling from outside the United States, we make it easier to access coordinated, expert care.
Phone

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Neurology: 617-732-7432

Neurosurgery: 617-732-6600

Massachusetts General Hospital

Neurology: 617-724-6387

Neurosurgery: 617-726-2937

International
International Patient Services
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