When a stroke strikes, every minute counts. For patients experiencing an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain, rapid treatment can be critical to protecting brain function and improving outcomes. Now the region has access to one of the most advanced clot-removal technologies available anywhere in the world. Atlantic Brain and Spine is helping advance emergency stroke care in southeastern North Carolina with access to one of the newest technologies designed to assist physicians during clot-removal procedures: Penumbra’s THUNDERBOLT system.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Justin Cappuzzo of Atlantic Brain and Spine became the first neurosurgeon in North Carolina to use THUNDERBOLT following its FDA clearance last month, and he went a step further, pioneering its use through a transradial approach, accessing an artery in the wrist. That made him the first physician in the world to deploy the technology this way, a distinction that reflects the kind of innovation patients can expect from Atlantic Brain and Spine.
“This technology is a powerful addition to our capabilities and is only the latest example of how our center provides southeastern North Carolina with world-renowned stroke care,” said Dr. Cappuzzo. “Thanks to our advanced protocols, we are already removing clots faster than the national average, and this technology will allow us to be even more efficient in a situation where every minute counts to save brain cells.”
What is THUNDERBOLT Technology?
THUNDERBOLT is a computer-guided system designed to assist physicians during suction-based mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure used to remove blood clots from blocked blood vessels in the brain.
What makes the technology unique is its ability to use integrated algorithms to interact with the clot in real time. Rather than relying solely on manually controlled suction, THUNDERBOLT uses modulated aspiration to adjust the force applied during clot removal.
According to Dr. Cappuzzo, this technology provides another tool for physicians working in an environment where speed and precision are essential.
“When a blood vessel is blocked by a clot, the brain is not getting oxygen, and millions of neurons per second are at risk,” Dr. Cappuzzo explains.
This is why rapid recognition and treatment of stroke remain so important.
The Best in Neurological Care in Wilmington North Carolina
Being first in the state and first in the world for the transradial technique is not an accident. It’s the product of the advanced protocols, expertise, and commitment to innovation that define Atlantic Brain and Spine. Under Dr. Cappuzzo’s leadership, patients in the region have access to stroke care that rivals what’s offered at the most respected centers anywhere in the country, delivered close to home.
For patients and families, that means faster treatment, better outcomes, and the confidence of knowing that world-class neurological expertise is available in their own community.
A Legacy of Innovation at Atlantic Brain and Spine
The THUNDERBOLT milestone doesn’t stand alone; it reflects the philosophy that has driven Atlantic Brain and Spine since the practice was founded in 2003. Widely recognized as the region’s most innovative brain and spine specialists, the practice has built its reputation on pairing advanced technology with a deeply patient-centered approach to care. That combination is exactly what allows a breakthrough like a first-in-the-world transradial thrombectomy to happen close to home rather than at a distant academic center.
At the heart of the practice is a team-based model. Rather than treating patients in isolation, the neurosurgeons at Atlantic Brain and Spine collaborate across specialties to design the right plan for each individual. Just as importantly, the team believes in doing the least invasive thing that works. Conservative, non-surgical therapies are explored first whenever appropriate, and when surgery is the right answer, minimally invasive techniques are the standard. These approaches are designed to reduce blood loss, lower the risk of infection, shorten hospital stays, and speed recovery so patients can get back to their lives sooner.
Access matters, too. With two Wilmington locations at 2208 South 17th Street and 2800 Ashton Drive, plus satellite offices in Jacksonville and Shallotte, Atlantic Brain and Spine makes advanced brain and spine care available across the region. For someone facing a frightening diagnosis or an emergency like a stroke, not having to travel hours for care can make an enormous difference both in outcomes and in peace of mind.
Milestones like the region’s first THUNDERBOLT procedure are the visible result of an organization built to lead. When you combine pioneering physicians like Dr. Cappuzzo, a team-based philosophy, minimally invasive expertise, and a genuine commitment to the local community, the result is neurological care that patients in the region can trust with the most important thing of all: their brain and spine health.
What are the signs of a stroke?
Because a stroke happens somewhere in the United States roughly every 40 seconds and because stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability recognizing the warning signs quickly can save lives and preserve brain function. Remember the acronym BE FAST:
- B — Balance: Sudden loss of balance or unsteadiness
- E — Eyes: Blurred or double vision, or sudden loss of sight
- F — Face: Facial drooping, especially on one side, when smiling
- A — Arms: Weakness that causes one arm to drift downward
- S — Speech: Slurred, strange, or difficult speech
- T — Time: Call 911 immediately
If you or someone near you shows any of these symptoms, don’t wait; call 911 right away. Rapid treatment is the single most important factor in a stroke outcome.
To learn more about advanced stroke and neurological care, visit Atlantic Brain and Spine.