Stroke Incidence and Impact - One in five individuals will experience a stroke in their lifetime [1] - In Spain, over 100,000 people suffer a stroke each year [1] - Stroke is the second leading cause of death in men and the leading cause in women in Spain [1] Ischemic Penumbra and Treatment - The ischemic penumbra is the area of the brain at risk of dying after a stroke, but potentially recoverable [4][5][7] - Recanalizing the blocked artery can "recharge" the brain cells in the penumbra [6][7] - Technology allows measurement of the dead (red) and at-risk (green) areas of the brain after a stroke [8] Stroke Treatment Advancements - Thrombolytic drugs accelerate the natural process of breaking up blood clots [10] - Mechanical thrombectomy, involving the physical removal of clots, was approved in 2015 and implemented in Albacete [20][21][22] - Albacete has performed at least 150 mechanical thrombectomies annually since 2015 [23] Code Stroke System - A "code stroke" system was implemented to ensure rapid transport and treatment of stroke patients [11][12] - The code stroke system in Castilla Mancha was extended to the entire region by 2008 [12]