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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Development and implementation of a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective protocol for national stroke prevention
George S Lavenson1, Richard L Pantera, Rosa M Garza
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Kaweah Delta District Hospital, 609 Acequia, Suite C, Visalia, CA 93291, USA. glavenson@aol.com
Insights
A new stroke prevention screening (SPS) protocol effectively identified major stroke causes in seniors. This screening potentially prevented 30 strokes, demonstrating a cost-effective approach to stroke risk reduction.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Cervical carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension are primary stroke causes.
- Silent stroke precursors necessitate early detection for effective intervention.
- Epidemiologic-scale stroke prevention is achievable through proactive screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective stroke prevention screening (SPS) protocol.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the SPS protocol in identifying stroke risk factors in a senior population.
Main Methods:
- A novel stroke prevention screening (SPS) protocol was created.
- The protocol was implemented across multiple institutions, screening 6,073 seniors.
- Data collection focused on identifying key stroke-related medical conditions.
Main Results:
- The SPS protocol successfully screened a large cohort of seniors.
- An estimated 30 strokes were prevented through the screening initiative.
- The healthcare system realized cost savings exceeding $2 million.
Conclusions:
- National implementation of the SPS protocol for seniors is recommended.
- Early identification and management of stroke causes can prevent a majority of strokes.
- The SPS protocol offers a scalable solution for widespread stroke risk reduction.
Background:
Three medical conditions--cervical carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension--cause the majority of strokes. Discovering these silent, immediate causes of stroke through screening, so they can be treated before stroke occurs, can potentially prevent strokes on an epidemiologic scale.
Methods:
A rapid, accurate, and cost-effective stroke prevention screening (SPS) protocol was developed.
Results:
The SPS protocol was used to screen 6,073 seniors residing in the central valley of California, at Madigan Army Medical Center, at New York University, and by the American Vascular Association at 68 leading institutions. The screening was estimated to have prevented 30 strokes and to have saved the health care system >$2 million.
Conclusions:
Implementation of a national SPS for seniors can discover the silent, immediate causes of strokes so they can be managed before stroke occurs and can potentially prevent the majority of strokes that we are currently not preventing.
