Breaking Barriers in Stroke Therapy: Recent Advances and Ongoing Challenges

Abstract

Acute ischemic stroke remains a significant global health challenge, prompting notable advancements in its management. Diagnostic innovations, including advanced imaging techniques and biomarker discovery, have greatly improved early detection and treatment precision. Mobile stroke units have expedited pre-hospital care, emphasizing the urgency of intervention under the principle "time is brain." These developments underscore the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis in improving outcomes. Therapeutic breakthroughs in thrombolytic therapy and mechanical thrombectomy have transformed acute stroke treatment. Refined thrombolytic protocols, new agents, and extended treatment windows have expanded therapeutic possibilities. Mechanical thrombectomy, bolstered by improved devices and techniques, has achieved higher recanalization rates and broader applicability, solidifying its role in endovascular interventions. Meanwhile, post-stroke care has embraced personalized, multidisciplinary rehabilitation approaches, with telemedicine breaking geographical barriers and enhancing recovery through patient-centered models. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including disparities in access to advanced care and the underexplored management of minor strokes. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, offer opportunities for better risk prediction and earlier interventions, though their long-term impacts require further study. This review highlights the transformative progress in stroke care while emphasizing the need for continued innovation, research, and equitable access to ensure better outcomes for all patients.

Keywords: biomarkers; ischemic stroke; mechanical thrombectomy; stroke management; thrombolytic therapy.