Author: Dr Aubrey Smith, Dr Raghu Lakshminarayan

Excerpt: 

Ischaemic stroke is the fourth largest cause of death in the UK and the second largest cause of death globally. The incidence of ischaemic stroke in the UK ranges from 115-150 per 100,000 population and costs the NHS approximately £9 billion per year. Thrombotic stroke accounts for approximately 85% of cases, with large proximal vessel occlusions more likely to result in severe physical and psychological disability.