Rapid Response to Stroke Leads to Remarkable Recovery for Florida Man
Todd Meiklejohn, a teacher in Florida, experienced a massive stroke that left him partially paralyzed. His wife found him on the ground and called 911, leading to his swift transport to Miami Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health. There, doctors performed a mechanical thrombectomy to remove a clot, restoring blood flow to his brain. This quick intervention resulted in minimal permanent damage, allowing Meiklejohn to regain movement and speech shortly after surgery. He was discharged from the hospital within 48 hours. The stroke was caused by a heart defect known as patent foramen ovale (PFO), which allowed a blood clot to travel to his brain. Meiklejohn underwent a procedure to close the PFO, significantly reducing the risk of another stroke.