Loma Linda University Medical Center is committed to comprehensive, competent, and compassionate care of individuals affected by stroke. The Stroke Program will strive to streamline an interdisciplinary effort to rapidly recognize and treat stroke patients with the highest quality of care.

Our Comprehensive Stroke program is an alliance of health professionals all working toward the common goal of protecting and healing patients from stroke.

Education is one of the key elements of our Stroke program; we are committed to educating staff and patients alike in the most current care and prevention of stroke.

We are dedicated to the continual pursuit of the highest quality of stroke care by constantly tracking stroke outcomes and evaluating our methods.
 

Acute Stroke

After advanced care is delivered in our dedicated neuro critical care unit and dedicated stroke unit by specialty trained physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses, our dedicated critical care stroke nurses and the critical care specialty team together respond 24 hrs 7 days a week to expedite timely acute interventions for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes patients. The neuro backpack carried by the team provides immediate access to t-PA "clot buster" and other medications needed for immediate stabilization.

These experienced neuro critical care nurses and critical care specialty team RN have received extensive education and training to fulfill the requirements.

Rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation occurs in our spacious and beautiful 24 bed facility, the Zapara Rehabilitation Pavilion, located on the East Campus.  At the Zapara Rehabilitation Pavilion, evidence-based healing is supported by a connection to nature, access to social support, elimination of environmental stressors, and innovative rehabilitative therapies.

Stroke Clinics

Our neurology clinic follows patients for both primary and secondary stroke prevention. Our physicians and nurse practitioners will ensure that patients are taking the right medications and participating in the necessary lifestyle modifications to prevent future strokes by collaborating with our Wellness Center.

Stroke Outcomes and Quality: 2021 & 2022

In 2021, our program had a total of 21 carotid endarterectomies (CEA) and 14 transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR). For CEA, 9 cases were asymptomatic and 12 cases were symptomatic. For TCAR, 5 cases were asymptomatic and 9 were symptomatic. There were zero major complication (death or stroke) from CEA or TCAR for both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.

In 2021, there were zero (0) major complications for 335 diagnostic catheter angiographies within 24-hour post-procedure.

In 2021, there was one (1/26) 3.8% cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) infections in patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

In 2022, our program had a total of 25 CEAs and 14 TCARs. For CEA, 7 cases were asymptomatic and 18 cases were symptomatic. For TCAR, 4 cases were asymptomatic and 10 cases were symptomatic. There was 1/14 (7.1%) major complication (death or stroke) from TCAR.

In 2022, there were zero (0) major complications for 288 diagnostic catheter angiographies within 24-hour post-procedure.

In 2022, there were 2 (2/28) 7.1% cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) infections in patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

In 2021/2022, there were 50 carotid arterial stenting (CAS) cases. There were 38 (76%) symptomatic cases, 11 (22%) asymptomatic cases and 3 (2%) cases unable to determine. There were 2 major complications from symptomatic cases 2/38 (5.3%) from CAS. There were no major complications from asymptomatic cases.