In this groundbreaking episode of MENA Health Focus, we are joined by Dr. Ossama Mansour, first author of a pivotal study on thrombectomy, and co-author Dr. Nadia Hammami. Together, they dissect the real-world outcomes of thrombectomy for distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs) in the Middle East and North Africa, a topic of intense debate in the stroke community.

While recent randomized trials have shown neutral results, what does the data from the front lines of clinical practice in the MENA region reveal? Dr. Mansour and Dr. Hammami will discuss the findings of their multicenter registry analysis, which provides a crucial look at the effectiveness, challenges, and economic implications of this procedure in a diverse healthcare landscape.

Join us as we explore:

•The key differences between real-world outcomes and the results of randomized controlled trials.

•The impact of these findings on current and future stroke treatment protocols in the MENA region.

•The economic realities of DMVO thrombectomy and what they mean for patients and healthcare systems.

•An exclusive look ahead at the new data from the DISTAL study, to be presented at ISC 2026, and what it could mean for the future of stroke care.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in the cutting edge of stroke treatment and the evolving landscape of neurointerventional practice in the MENA region.

Title: Bridging the Gap: The NITA-MENA Study & The Future of Stroke Care

Description: Mechanical thrombectomy is the gold standard for treating acute ischemic stroke, yet access to this procedure varies wildly across the MENA region. The bottleneck? A lack of standardized training pathways.

Host Salma is joined by Prof. Ossama Yassin Mansour, a leading figure in Interventional Neurology, to dissect the NITA-MENA (Neuro-Interventional Training Academy) study.

In this episode, we cover:

• The current landscape of neuro-interventional capacity in the Middle East.
• The objectives of the NITA-MENA study in standardizing fellowship training.
• How creating a structured educational pipeline can directly improve patient outcomes.
• The role of international collaboration in local capacity building.

Join us for a deep dive into the data and the drive behind building a stronger medical workforce.

Welcome to The Circle of Willis, the definitive podcast for the neurointerventional community, brought to you by MENA-SINO. Join host Dr. Syed Irteza and a panel of leading international experts as they step into the angio suite to dissect the most complex and controversial topics in neurovascular medicine. Each episode goes beyond the guidelines, challenging dogma and exploring the evolving biology, cutting-edge technology, and practical realities of patient care.

From the angioarchitecture of AVMs to the molecular signaling of the endothelium, we bridge the gap between landmark trials and frontline clinical decision-making. Whether you are a fellow, a seasoned surgeon, or a researcher pushing the boundaries of neuroscience, The Circle of Willis provides the critical insights you need to stay ahead of the curve. It’s more than a discussion; it’s a masterclass in restoring flow.