Lorenzo Rinaldo, M.D., Ph.D.

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SUMMARY

Mayo Clinic researcher Lorenzo Rinaldo, M.D., Ph.D., studies the biological processes involved in the occlusion of aneurysms after endovascular treatment. He develops small animal models in which to deploy endovascular devices. The goal is to identify modifiable risk factors for endovascular treatment failure. Dr. Rinaldo also refines treatment selection strategies for moyamoya disease. In moyamoya disease, blood flow to the brain is decreased because of narrowed arteries. Dr. Rinaldo investigates whether measurements of intraoperative blood flow in both donor and recipient arteries during bypass surgery can predict success or failure of different treatment modalities.

Focus areas

• Endovascular treatment of aneurysms. Dr. Rinaldo identifies risk factors for endovascular treatment failure using small animal models.
• Moyamoya disease. Dr. Rinaldo refines treatment selection strategies through the use of intraoperative blood flow measurements.
• Quality of life after aneurysm treatment. Dr. Rinaldo determines predictors of poor quality of life after either endovascular or open surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Rinaldo's research improves endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms and reduces the need for retreatment. Regarding his research on moyamoya disease, the goal is to define objective criteria for treatment selection with the aim of individualizing surgical strategies based on disease characteristics. This increases the success of surgery and reduces risks as much as possible. His research on quality of life identifies people who are more likely to have poor quality of life after particular forms of aneurysm treatment. Dr. Rinaldo's research allows a more individualized approach to aneurysm treatment.