Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either by blockage or, less commonly, by bleeding. Rapid advances in acute ischaemic stroke treatment have moved beyond simple aspirin to include thrombolysis, which dissolves clots, and newer procedures where radiologists physically remove clots using stent retrievers via angiogram.
Advanced imaging has expanded patient eligibility for these treatments, while videoconferencing lets neurologists provide expert advice remotely, improving access in regional areas. Wellington Neurology Department offers a telestroke service for New Zealand’s central region.
Both thrombolysis and clot retrieval are most effective soon after symptoms begin. The Stroke Foundation promotes early recognition of stroke symptoms through its FAST campaign. The sooner a person with stroke symptoms gets to hospital the sooner treatment can start and the better the chance of recovery.
