Luis E. Savastano, M.D., Ph.D.

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SUMMARY

The research focus of Luis E. Savastano, M.D., Ph.D., is in the development of new technologies and techniques for minimally invasive surgery. He also has a desire to better understand, diagnose and treat cerebrovascular diseases, with a special emphasis on ischemic stroke.

Focus areas

• Multimodal high-resolution angioscopy. Dr. Savastano's lab is developing novel endovascular cameras for structural and biological imaging of carotid atherosclerosis and optimizing the endovascular techniques for angioscopy.
• Biomechanical paradigm of carotid artery disease disruption. Dr. Savastano and his collaborators are analyzing the forces driving the disruption of carotid plaque through mechanical analysis of plaque tissue and computational flow dynamics. By understanding the interplay of forces that shape plaques, Dr. Savastano is defining the phenotypic targets for medical imaging.
• Large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke. Dr. Savastano is studying the interaction of artery-embolus devices and the failure modes of stent retrievers and suction catheters. By understanding the forces during thrombectomy and the failure mechanisms of currently used devices, he is developing the next generation of thrombectomy devices.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Savastano's research is translational in nature and is directed to improve the safety and efficacy of stroke diagnoses and treatment. In detail, his research is leading to a better understanding of the physiopathology of carotid artery disease and new diagnostic platforms to find culprit lesions in patients with strokes of unknown etiology.

Professional highlights

• Recipient, Galbraith Award, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 2016
• Recipient, Cerebrovascular Research Award, Joint Section on Cerebrovascular Surgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2015-2016