Stroke care with world-leading treatment times
For patients experiencing a severe stroke, rapid treatment is critical. Sahlgrenska University Hospital combines high patient volumes with some of the shortest thrombectomy treatment times reported nationally.
On average, treatment begins just 12 minutes after a transferred patient arrives at the hospital. For patients who present directly to the Sahlgrenska University Hospital for imaging and potential treatment, the average time from arrival to thrombectomy initiation is 42 minutes. At high-volume thrombectomy centres internationally, comparable times average around 60 minutes and typically range from 42 to 71 minutes.
Sahlgrenska University Hospital's world-leading treatment times are matched by strong clinical outcomes. In 94% of cases, neurointerventionists successfully reopen blocked blood vessels, the highest success rate among Swedish thrombectomy centres. Many patients arrive with severe stroke symptoms, yet most show substantial improvement within 24 hours of treatment, with some making a complete neurological recovery.
These outstanding results are the outcome of systematic work across the entire stroke pathway. "We have truly been chasing minutes, and it has paid off," says Alexandros Rentzos, Consultant Neuroradiologist and Neurointerventionist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. "We continuously review every step of the patient journey and work across professions to identify opportunities for improvement. Everyone remains focused on ensuring patients receive treatment as quickly as possible."
The world's first mechanical thrombectomy
Sahlgrenska's expertise in stroke care is built on decades of innovation, clinical experience and continuous development. In 1994, neuroradiologist Dr Gunnar Wikholm at Sahlgrenska University Hospital became the first in the world to perform a mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke, developing a technique to physically remove a blood clot from a blocked blood vessel. The procedure went on to become an established treatment for severe stroke and remains a cornerstone of modern stroke care.
Today, Sahlgrenska performs more thrombectomies than any other centre in Sweden. As stroke treatment has become increasingly specialised, the hospital has also become a major referral centre for patients with severe stroke, receiving a higher proportion of patients directly than any other Swedish thrombectomy centre.
"We have a long history of delivering this treatment and continue to drive innovation and improvement across the entire stroke pathway. Recent initiatives include ambulances equipped with stroke cameras, an AI-based application that supports the interpretation of radiological images, and new training programmes for healthcare professionals throughout the region," says Mikael Jerndal, neurologist and Senior Consultant at the Stroke Unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
The result is a stroke service built on a unique combination of pioneering innovation, extensive clinical experience, high patient volumes and exceptional treatment speed. More than three decades after the world's first thrombectomy procedure was performed at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, the hospital continues to advance stroke care, delivering some of the shortest thrombectomy treatment times reported in Sweden.