Beyond the Window – What ISC 2026 Tells Us About Treating Stroke Earlier or Later

In this first episode of Voice of Stroke, we examine three key trials presented at ISC 2026 that challenge how we define time boundaries in acute stroke care.

This episode explores:

· Extending intravenous thrombolysis beyond 4.5 hours in non-large vessel occlusion stroke (OPTION)

· Tenecteplase within 24 hours for basilar artery occlusion (TRACE-5)

· Ultra-early recombinant factor VIIa in intracerebral haemorrhage (FASTEST)

Together, these trials refine our understanding of patient selection, risk, and benefit across ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.

This month's Voice of Stroke episode was written by Linxin Li, Editor-in-Chief of the Voice of Stroke Podcast.

Read the full transcript here: https://eso-stroke.org/wp-content/uploads/ESO-podcast_EP1_Transcript.pdf