Deep dive #1 Β· 29 October 2026

Stroke

For health professionals World Stroke Day

An untreated large-vessel stroke burns 1.9 million neurons a minute, so this is written to be read quickly. The numbers, the trials behind them, and where the evidence still has holes.

At a glance

Biggest take-home: systolic blood pressure. It accounts for 56.8% of stroke DALYs worldwide, more than any other factor, before and after the first stroke.

Definition

Pathophysiology

Ischaemic cascade

Core, penumbra and collaterals

Time is brain (Saver 2006)

Ischaemic mechanisms (TOAST)

Haemorrhagic mechanisms

Epidemiology

Global (GBD 2021, WSO Fact Sheet 2025)

Australia

Causes and risk factors

Preventable factors

INTERSTROKE (32 countries, 13,447 cases, Lancet 2016)

GBD 2021 attributable DALYs

Diagnosis essentials

Current treatment

IV thrombolysis

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT)

Systems and stroke unit care

Intracerebral haemorrhage

Secondary prevention

Rehabilitation

Emerging treatments and trials

Factor XI(a) inhibitors

Neuroprotection

Medium and distal vessel occlusion (EVT)

Anti-inflammatory

Oedema

Recovery

Gaps and open questions

Labelled hypotheses, not recommendations.

Prognosis and quality of life

Guidelines

Key trials

Sources

Information only. Doses, time windows and eligibility vary by jurisdiction and product information. Check local protocols and the current guideline before treating.

Reviewed 29 October 2026. General education for health professionals; not a substitute for local protocols.