Visakhapatnam, November 22, 2025: Doctors at KIMS Icon Hospital, Visakhapatnam, set a remarkable record by successfully treating a stroke patient in just 9 minutes. The hospital’s Head of Neuro and Vascular Interventional Radiology, Dr. Venkatesh Pothula, shared the details.

“A 60-year-old man from the city suddenly developed paralysis and was rushed to the hospital. A brain scan revealed that a major blood vessel was blocked due to a clot. Our stroke team immediately began treatment. To remove the clot, we performed a mechanical thrombectomy. In record time within just 9 minutes normal blood flow to the brain was restored. The patient made a full recovery within hours after the procedure. Restoring blood flow quickly greatly increases the chances of recovery,” explained Dr. Pothula.

“Mechanical thrombectomy is a race against time. Every minute of delay during a stroke leads to the death of nearly 2 million brain cells. Completing the procedure so quickly highlights the hospital’s advanced technology, the expertise of our neuro-intervention team, and our rapid-response systems.”

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Symptoms may include paralysis on one side, facial drooping, slurred speech, or blurred vision. If any of these signs appear, one must rush to the hospital without a moment’s delay. Treatments like thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy can save lives and significantly reduce disability,” Dr. Venkatesh Pothula added.