Bridging the Global Challenges in Stroke Care through Telestroke Metrics

Stroke remains a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, yet access to timely and expert treatment remains unequal across regions. The manuscript by Tunkl et al., featured in this issue of the International Journal of Stroke, provides a global analysis of telestroke networks, shedding light on their distribution, diversity, and impact. Their findings offer critical insights into how telemedicine can transform acute stroke care and reduce disparities.

Telestroke networks enable remote evaluation and management of stroke patients by connecting underserved areas with expert neurologists. This innovative approach has proven effective in facilitating decisions about timely interventions, such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, significantly improving patient outcomes. However, as Tunkl et al. reveal, the global distribution of these networks is far from equitable. Of the 254 identified telestroke networks, nearly 70% are located in high-income countries (HICs), leaving low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with minimal coverage. Alarmingly, 58 countries report no evidence of telestroke services.

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