Pre-Hospital Care Podcast The Pre-Hospital Stroke Spectrum: Early Recognition, Rapid Decisions, and Stroke Pathways with Maren Ranhoff Hov
Today on the Pre‑Hospital Care Podcast, we welcome Dr Maren Ranhoff Hov, a leading figure in the evolving field of pre-hospital stroke medicine. With a unique background that spans both paramedicine and neurology, Maren brings a rare and powerful perspective to the conversation. From her early days working in the ambulance service in Northern Norway, she witnessed firsthand the critical challenges of recognising and treating stroke in the field. This passion would later form the foundation of her research career.
Maren has been at the forefront of several groundbreaking projects: most notably, the Norwegian ParaNASPP trial, which explored how paramedics using the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) can improve pre-hospital stroke triage. She has also contributed to pioneering studies on mobile stroke units, pre-hospital CT, and novel telemedicine pathways. Her work has not only shaped stroke protocols in Norway but has also earned international recognition, including a major quality award from the Norwegian Medical Association.
On this episode, we’ll explore how Maren thinks about the “pre-hospital stroke spectrum” from TIA to large-vessel occlusion and haemorrhagic stroke, and discuss how early decisions in the field can meaningfully change patient outcomes.
- This is Maren's initial interview on the PHCP in July 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_U8YAmEpnc
- This is Maren's work on the ParaNASPP trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37596006/
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