World Stroke Day, which is observed on October 29 annually, highlights the urgent need for improved stroke care and prevention. Stroke, a leading cause of death and long-term disability, affects millions each year, with only a small percentage making a full recovery. Improved public awareness, advancements in imaging technology, and treatment innovations such as thrombectomy, as well as expanding treatment and access, hold the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), responsible for 85% of all strokes, is particularly challenging to treat. According to the American Heart Association, fewer than 30% of AIS patients receive treatment within the optimal timeframe. Traditional treatments rely on CT and MRI for stroke diagnosis and management. Perfusion imaging, crucial for determining blockage severity and identifying salvageable brain tissue, and treatment methods like thrombolysis and thrombectomy also require specialized equipment and personnel, often limiting access in underserved communities.
Ashley Clarke, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Many patients arrive outside of the effective treatment window due to delayed symptom recognition, misdiagnosis, and inadequate access to specialized care. Stroke symptom education is therefore critical to ensure stroke victims receive aid as quickly as possible. Innovations in telemedicine and mobile stroke units can further enable timely care by providing pre-hospital imaging and diagnosis, administering thrombolytics to reduce treatment delay, and expanding care to the areas further away from major stroke centers.”
Clarke continues: “Innovations in treatment methodologies are also critical for improving patient outcomes. Advancements in stent retrievers and aspiration catheters have opened doors to more complex thrombectomy clot removal techniques, allowing for successful treatments in a wider range of occlusion types.”
Some emerging studies use thrombectomy up to 24 hours after symptom onset, or for patients with medium vessel occlusions, suggesting the potential to benefit up to 60% of AIS patients, despite current limited usage. According to GlobalData, the global neurovascular thrombectomy market is expected to rise from $0.9 billion in 2024 to $2 billion by 2034, driven by rising demand, increasing stroke incidence, and the potential for expanded treatment eligibility. However, integration of new technologies into standard care will require further clinical trials and investments in device development, physician training, and hospital infrastructure.
Hemorrhagic stroke studies, such as the INTERACT-4 trial, have also demonstrated the benefits of early blood pressure management in hemorrhagic stroke patients. Comprehensive stroke care should be equipped to handle both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, with the right tools and protocols.
Clarke concludes: “As stroke treatments continue to evolve, accessible and timely treatment will be critical for reducing global stroke-related deaths and disabilities. This World Stroke Day, focus should be on enhancing stroke education, improving diagnostic tools, and expanding access to cutting-edge treatments for better outcomes going forward.”
