New Brain Aneurysm Treatment Makes Southwest Florida Debut at Physicians Regional Medical Center

2/26/2020

Naples, Fla. (Feb. 26, 2020) – A new procedure for the treatment of brain aneurysms is now available at Physicians Regional Medical Center. The procedure, the first of its kind in Southwest Florida, was performed at the hospital in late December last year.

Mazen AbuAwad, M.D., Neurointerventional Radiologist and Medical Director of Stroke for Physicians Regional Healthcare System, stated, “This new brain aneurysm treatment uses a device ideal for the treatment of wide necked aneurysms, which typically have been more difficult to treat.” Nasser Razack, M.D., Neurointerventional Radiologist, adds, “This device is a game changer, using minimally invasive techniques to seat a small soft woven metallic basket inside of the aneurysm. It gives a similar outcome to open surgical techniques without affecting brain tissue.”

Physicians Regional Medical Center Comprehensive Stroke Center treats patients with neurointerventional procedures such as minimally invasive clot removal for strokes, and coiling brain aneurysms.

Physicians Regional Healthcare System (PRHS) is a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA). This designation is based on standards set by the AHCA that distinguishes hospitals with infrastructure, staff, and training to receive and treat patients with all types of strokes.

Scott Lowe, Market CEO for PRHS said, “We are proud to receive and hold this designation from the Agency for Healthcare Administration. To enhance our commitment to deliver a higher level of stroke care to all patients in our community, we are pleased that two of the area’s finest neurointerventional radiologists, Dr. Mazen AbuAwad, and Dr. Nasser Razack, are part of our medical staff, and lead our Comprehensive Stroke Center.”

Dr. AbuAwad adds, “Having the right team of experts and the technology to quickly evaluate and initiate treatment along with proper post-discharge recovery is essential. It is gratifying for me to have that ability to help patients heal from stroke and restore as much functionality as possible.”

“With a stroke, you must have the ability to act quickly and efficiently due to the time-critical nature and complexity that exists,” said Dr. Razack. “This designation from AHCA demonstrates we have the processes in place to help our patients receive the highest level of care while reducing risks."

In addition to its designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, PRHS is also a 3-time recipient of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Stroke accounts for about 1 out of every 19 deaths, ranking No. 5 among all causes of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Back