The Comprehensive Center for Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is a subspecialized multidisciplinary clinical unit which evaluates and treats all forms of vascular disorders of the brain and spinal cord. With our group of highly subspecialized physicians, we prospectively assess patients and provide a broad range of state-of-the-art treatment options. Since cerebrovascular disease can often be treated using a spectrum of complementary techniques, experts evaluate cases and provide recommendations with the goal of minimizing risks and maximizing long-term efficacy.

The center is jointly directed by Robert M. Friedlander, MD, (head of cerebrovascular microneurosurgery) and Michael Horowitz, MD, (head of endovascular neurosurgery). Other members of our team include Daniel A. Wecht, MD, Paul A. Gardner, MD, and Brian Jankowitz, MD.

Challenging cases are reviewed prospectively in our weekly multidisciplinary cerebrovascular conference. All the key subspecialists are represented and discuss the individual features of each case. Individual consideration is given to each patient to tailor the most effective therapy, taking into consideration a number of important features including patient age, overall health status, and specific anatomical considerations of their vascular abnormality.

Expert neuroanesthesia and neuro critical care are key components of the comprehensive management of our neurovascular patients. The pathologies treated and therapeutic options include:

The Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery Center works in close collaboration with the UPMC Stroke Institute—staffed by neurologists with additional training in vascular neurology—including Lawrence Wechsler, MD, (chairman, Department of Neurology), Tudor Jovin, MD, (director, UPMC Stroke Institute), Maxim D. Hammer, MD, (director, UPMC Mercy Stroke Service), Vivek K. Reddy, MD, (director, UPMC Vascular Neurology Training Program), Mouhammad Jumaa MD, and Syed Zaidi, MD