• Patients & Visitors
• Clinics & Services
• Focus of Care
• Krembil Neurosciences
• Medical & Community
       Care
• Musculoskeletal Health
       & Arthritis
• PMH Cancer Program
• Peter Munk
       Cardiac Centre
• Surgical &
       Critical Care
• Multi-Organ                               Transplant
• Find a Doctor
• Research
• Education
• Careers at UHN
• Health Professionals
• Media
• For Staff

Overview Clinics Research Staff Patient Information A - Z Glossary Map & Directions Health Professionals Media Room

Neurovascular health involves disorders and conditions of the brain, spinal cord and blood vessels such as aneurysms, stroke or vascular malformations.

UHN neurovascular care is provided in a world-class centre which includes neurosurgeons, neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists, acute care nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals.  Based at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, we are a designated Regional Stroke Centre within the Ontario Stroke System and provide leadership to the province in best practices for stroke care, from prevention to acute care to rehabilitation and home care. We are also the flagship for the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network, which collects information about the care and treatment of patients during and after a stroke. The Krembil Stroke Team is part of the Telestroke program with video-conference technology to provide consultation to Northern hospitals through the North Stroke Network.

ELANA – Laser Bypass Brain Surgery:
The Krembil Neuroscience Centre is the only institution in Canada where patients have access to this cutting edge technology. Dr. Michael Tymianski, a world renowned neurovascular surgeon, is currently performing this surgery.

This life-saving surgery is performed using a technique called ELANA (Excimer Laser Assisted Non-occlusive Anastomosis). This procedure involves the use of a laser to treat complex brain aneurysms and blocked arteries to the brain.

The ELANA technique allows neurosurgeons to avoid using conventional bypass surgical methods, which involves clamping the artery in order create a new source of blood flow. The clamps may have to stay on for a half-hour or even an hour. And that is where the risk comes in: cutting off blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke that leaves permanent damage. This also leaves surgeons with an extremely small window of time to complete the by-pass. By using a laser, the neurosurgeons do not have to clamp the artery and blood flow in the brain is maintained at all times. 

Click here for a visual explanation of the ELANA technique.

Click here to read how one patient’s life was changed by this procedure.

To become a patient at any of our three hospitals, you must be referred to one of our physicians through a doctor. Your doctor must send a referral letter and other related documents required by the hospital.

For more information about Stroke, AVMs or other neurovascular conditions, visit UHN Health Information.

back to top]
[back to Krembil Neuroscience Centre home]