Global Neurology Division

As part of our commitment to increase stroke treatments globally, we have created the Mechanical Thrombectomy Training Pathways program to complement the ongoing endeavors of the World Stoke Organization (WSO) in aiding hospitals from low- to middle-income countries (LTMICs) to provide stroke treatments according to the highest standards, via the WSO/Global Stroke Alliance Stroke Center Certification program. Our MT training initiative is intended for hospitals that have either sought certification or have already gained certification as an ‘advanced’ stroke center. The program is customized to address the specific needs of each individual hospital, and the MT treatment challenges unique to their respective regions. This program provides an experienced neurointerventionalist available for a 7-day period to support all MT cases at the participating hospitals during that week. Additionally, a comprehensive educational curriculum is integrated throughout the week for both interventional and non-interventional staff.

We have also implemented MT training courses for neurointerventional physicians utilizing bio-imitative anatomical models observed under fluoroscopy, acrylic flow modes, and virtual reality simulation. This specialized training is exclusively designed for physicians with formal education in neurointervention. Through an open survey we can identify physicians with the necessary resources to perform MT procedures based on stroke admissions, referral patterns and existing hospital infrastructure. In August 2023, seventeen physicians convened in Neiva, Colombia to participate in a comprehensive 20-hour MT course. This course was followed by a press conference and included a combination of didactic lectures, engaging case discussions, and hands-on practice sessions. In a subsequent survey conducted after the course, all physicians found the course to be ‘practice-changing’ (71.4% strongly agree, 21.4% agree, 7.1% agree with some local limitations), and all physicians felt more confident with their MT skills at the end of the course (85.7% strongly agree, 14.3% agree). We believe this positive feedback highlights the effectiveness of our training approach and its impact on enhancing the capabilities and confidence of the participating neurointerventionalists. We were very excited to extend our initiatives into South Asia, as we hosted a similar thrombectomy course in New Delhi, India in September 2023. This event was integrated within the Global Stroke Alliance Ministerial Meeting, and included 28 neurointerventional physicians, representing India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

This year similar MT courses will take place in Istanbul and Abu Dhabi. Both courses will take place in October 2024.

For more information, please visit globalstrokealliance.com.