The only endovascular neurosurgery practice between St. Louis and Memphis, Cape Cerebrovascular & Endovascular Neurosurgery provides cutting-edge treatment techniques and resources for neurological patients to the region.
Endovascular neurosurgery allows remote minimally invasive surgery through a microcatheter in the femoral artery. These advanced surgical procedures are invaluable in treating a variety of complex neurological, spine, cerebral and vascular disorders and treatments, including:
- Aneurysms
- Arterial stenosis
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas
- Cerebral revascularization
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Vascular tumors
- Vasospastic arteries
Hybrid Surgical Suite
Brain surgery can take unexpected turns — sometimes requiring multiple operating environments. Seconds count, and moving a patient takes critical time. The solution? Saint Francis Medical Centers’ new endovascular neurosurgery hybrid suite – the only one in the region and just the second of its kind in the nation. With all of the necessary equipment right there, it ensures fluid transition from endovascular surgery to an open or combined approach. That optimizes procedures and minimizes or eliminates several factors that negatively affect outcomes.
Dr. Caragine performs endovascular procedures in a specialized room that has the capability for high-tech diagnostic imaging. If he cannot repair the aneurysm with the coil, however, he will need to convert the procedure into an open surgery. This typically means the surgical team must transport the patient to an operating room, which takes a significant amount of time and can affect the outcome of the surgery. With the hybrid suite, however, Dr. Caragine can convert the procedure to an open surgery in the same room in about 15 minutes, compared to an average time of 45 minutes when a patient needs to be transported to a different operating room.
“This room is technology at its best,” says Dr. Caragine. “The room is equipped with an imaging machine that is more advanced than any between St. Louis and Memphis.” The machine can be used for a wide variety of endovascular procedures, including treating brain aneurysms. “I have supervised two other medical facilities as they have built a hybrid suite, and I believe the suite at Saint Francis will be the best in the world.” The hybrid suite at Saint Francis uses technology from Philips and MAQUET and a design unmatched by any other neurosurgery suite in the country; the only other hybrid suite of its kind is used for cardiac procedures.
The hybrid suite will be used for a variety of conditions, including aneurysms, arterial stenosis, arteriovenous malformations, carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas, cerebral revascularization, minimally invasive spine surgery, vascular tumors and vasospastic arteries. Many of these conditions are relatively common, so the suite will make a tremendous difference to the region’s residents. For example, one in 50 Americans has at least one unruptured brain aneurysm. One of those ruptures every 18 minutes, taking more than 500,000 lives every year. Under traditional operating conditions, two-thirds of those with this condition will have some disability following treatment. Reducing the time until an aneurysm is repaired can make a significant difference in outcomes.
As a physician partner of Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Cerebrovascular & Endovascular Neurosurgery is backed by the powerful resources and advanced technology of a nationally ranked medical center.
Louis P. Caragine Jr., MD, PhD, FAANS
Cape Cerebrovascular & Endovascular Neurosurgery is led by vascular and endovascular neurosurgeon Louis P. Caragine Jr., MD, PhD, FAANS. As the region’s only endovascular neurosurgeon, Dr. Caragine offers local access to lifesaving, minimally invasive treatments for the brain and spine. As one of only about 35 fellowship-trained endovascular neurosurgeons in the country, he has the expertise to remotely treat stroke, vascular tumors, blood vessel conditions and other complex disorders by navigating a tiny catheter through an artery in the leg. For patients, less-invasive options mean less pain, faster recovery and fewer complications.
Dr. Caragine is active in furthering endovascular science and research, has held faculty appointments at leading medical centers, and has received numerous professional accolades and honors. Dr. Caragine has been named one of America's top surgeons by the Consumers' Research Council of America and received the Galbraith Award for outstanding work in cerebrovascular science from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He has served on numerous national committees for the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons – including executive, bylaws and certification committees – and he currently serves on the executive committee of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery Board of Directors.
Dr. Caragine's Curriculum Vitae
Meet the Surgeon
Louis P. Caragine, Jr. MD, PhD