Building Global Bridges and Advancing Stroke Care at International Stroke Conference 2025

Thousands of stroke scientists from more than 40 countries gathered earlier this month for the International Stroke Conference 2025 (ISC 2025) in Los Angeles, California, USA, hosted by the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association. This global event was a hub of cutting-edge research, collaborative discussions around best practices and inspiring stories of lifesaving care. This showcase of global collaboration can advance stroke prevention, treatment and recovery to not only save but improve patient outcomes.

ISC 2025 elevated international voices, with joint symposiums with stroke organizations across the globe representing East Asia, Europe, India and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.

Among the key breakthroughs were two studies from China that demonstrated promising advancements in clot-dissolving treatments:

• "Clot-busting meds may be effective up to 24 hours after initial stroke symptoms" – This study revealed that administering alteplase within 24 hours of stroke onset increased the odds of full recovery by 50%, expanding the treatment window for stroke patients.


• "Removing large brain artery clot, chased with clot-buster shot, may improve stroke outcomes" – Findings showed that delivering Tenecteplase injections directly into a blocked artery significantly improved patient outcomes with no additional risk.
  
  

Additionally, a multi-national European study, "Clot-buster meds & mechanical retrieval equally reduce disability from some strokes," provided evidence that mechanical thrombectomy devices are as effective as clot-dissolving drugs, offering clinicians more options to tailor treatments for optimal patient outcomes.

Celebrating 20 Years of Transforming Stroke Care
A spirit of innovation and progress echoed throughout ISC 2025 as the conference marked the 20th anniversary of Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke, the world’s leading stroke care improvement initiative. American Heart Association President Keith Churchwell, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, emphasized the program’s impact, noting that it has contributed to over 71,000 quality-adjusted life years for stroke patients worldwide. Hospitals from the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showcased their research at the Global Quality Showcase, reinforcing the program’s international reach and success.

Honoring Pioneers in Stroke Research
ISC 2025 also recognized 11 distinguished scientists for their outstanding contributions to stroke prevention and treatment. Notably, Dr. Yongjun Wang, M.D., of Beijing Tiantan Hospital and president of the Chinese Stroke Association, received the William M. Feinberg Award for Excellence in Clinical Stroke, honoring his work in secondary stroke prevention and reperfusion therapy. Jean-Claude Baron, M.D., Sc.D., INSERM from the University Paris Cité, was awarded the David G. Sherman Lecture Award for his research on using imaging to assess stroke-damaged brain tissue and its recovery potential.

A Brighter Future for Stroke Care
As ISC 2025 concluded, one resounding message stood out: the future of stroke care is brighter than ever. From pioneering research to global collaboration, the conference reinforced the power of innovation and unity in saving lives.

Read more about the latest findings unveiled at ISC 2025: https://isc.hub.heart.org/