NCH Wingard Stroke Institute Pioneers Advanced Stroke Treatment

NCH Wingard Stroke Institute Pioneers Advanced Stroke Treatment with FDA-Approved Neuroguard IEP System

Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) continues to lead the way in stroke care. The NCH Wingard Stroke Institute is proud to announce that it is among the first hospitals in the nation to perform the FDA-approved Neuroguard Integrated Embolic Protection (IEP) procedure, a groundbreaking treatment for patients with carotid artery disease. NCH Wingard Stroke Institute is one of only five Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers in the state of Florida, underscoring its commitment to delivering the highest level of stroke care.

Developed by Contego Medical, the Neuroguard IEP System is a revolutionary three-in-one carotid stenting solution that integrates a high-performance stent, a dilation balloon, and a protective filter that has pores up to four times smaller than traditional filters and mesh-covered stents. This advanced technology streamlines the carotid stenting procedure, reducing the number of steps and significantly improving safety by capturing particles or clots that can travel in the bloodstream that traditional systems may miss. The result is faster, more effective treatment that enhances patient outcomes when every second counts.

Clinical studies have demonstrated unprecedented low event rates with the Neuroguard IEP System—zero major strokes, zero neurologic deaths, and zero stent thrombosis at both 30 days and one year.

“At the NCH Wingard Stroke Institute, we are committed to bringing the latest, most effective treatments to our community,” said Mazen AbuAwad, MD, The John and Susan Morrison Endowed Chair and Executive Director of the Wingard Stroke Institute. “The Neuroguard IEP procedure represents a major advancement in stroke care, reinforcing our mission to provide life-saving innovation when minutes matter most.”

Strokes remain a leading cause of disability and death in the United States, making rapid intervention critical. As one of Florida’s premier stroke centers, NCH is ensuring that Southwest Florida residents have access to world-class stroke treatment, cementing its position as a leader in comprehensive stroke care.

About NCH

NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 50 Hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 1,100 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top-3 in the state by Healthgrades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.