Todd Meiklejohn Recovers From Massive Stroke After 38-Minute Thrombectomy and PFO Closure
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Aug 8
Todd Meiklejohn Recovers From Massive Stroke After 38-Minute Thrombectomy and PFO Closure
2 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 8
Summary
38 minutes after his wife called 911, Todd Meiklejohn underwent a mechanical thrombectomy for a massive stroke and soon regained speech and movement on his right side.
Doctors later traced the stroke to a patent foramen ovale, or PFO—a small heart opening that let a blood clot reach his brain in a rare complication.
Less than 48 hours after the stroke, Meiklejohn left the hospital; four weeks later he returned to work, and two months later completed a 100-mile bike ride.
20% to 30% of adults have a PFO, usually without problems, but Meiklejohn said his case shows how rapid stroke treatment can sharply improve outcomes.