When Every Minute Mattered: Bradenton Woman Recovers from Stroke Thanks to New Hospital Technology

When Every Minute Mattered: Bradenton Woman Recovers from Stroke Thanks to New Hospital Technology

Bradenton, FL – April 21, 2026 – A Bradenton resident, Jane Caruso, is back to enjoying time with her family and grandchildren after a sudden stroke, thanks to the quick thinking of her husband and the advanced medical technology recently introduced at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Her story highlights the critical importance of recognizing stroke warning signs and the impact of specialized local care.

Caruso, a retired teacher and busy grandmother in the family-oriented neighborhoods of Bradenton, experienced stroke symptoms unexpectedly. “I had been bending down playing with the dog, and when I came up, the room started to spin. I tried to tell my husband, and everything came out garbled. He knew right away that I was having a stroke,” Caruso recounted.

Her husband’s immediate call to 911 set in motion a chain of events that ultimately saved her. Upon the arrival of Bradenton's quick-response EMTs, Caruso specifically requested to be taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital. Unbeknownst to her at the time, the hospital had recently opened its Biplane Interventional Radiology Suite, the first of its kind in Manatee County, equipped with the precise technology needed for her emergency.

A CT scan at Manatee Memorial confirmed that Caruso’s stroke was caused by a blockage in one of the main arteries in her brain. She was deemed a candidate for an advanced mechanical thrombectomy procedure, designed to remove the clot restricting blood flow. This procedure involves inserting a catheter into an artery in the groin and guiding it to the blocked artery, where a special device removes the clot. The hospital’s new imaging equipment provides the highly detailed views essential for this intricate care.

Dr. Ralph Gonzalez, a Neurologist, Chief of Staff, and Medical Director of the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at Manatee Memorial Hospital, oversaw Caruso’s care. “Being able to perform this procedure here, rather than transferring patients to a different facility, saves precious time when every minute counts,” Dr. Gonzalez stated. “This treatment increases the likelihood of a stroke victim regaining independence and mobility by a significant amount.”

Caruso vividly remembers her experience. “They keep you awake, they want to see how you respond. During the procedure, I had a nurse stroking my hand and she was so sweet … Just her touching me was a real reassurance. Everybody was so wonderful.”

Following the successful procedure, Caruso spent 24 hours in the ICU before moving to the stroke unit. “They all rallied around me, and once the procedure was over, I went up to ICU. They were wonderful up there, too. I stayed there for 24 hours and then I went to the stroke unit and they were just as good. At that point all my testing came up normal. I was up and walking and eating,” she shared.

Since returning home, Caruso has been in regular contact with her cardiologist to monitor her health. She expressed immense gratitude for her recovery, reflecting, “I think about it and how it could have been. I’m very fortunate.”

Caruso’s experience underscores the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms quickly. The American Stroke Association® promotes the BE FAST acronym to help identify common signs:

• BALANCE: Does the person have a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
• EYES: Is there sudden blurred or double vision, or sudden, persistent vision loss in one eye?
• FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

The availability of advanced stroke treatment, like the mechanical thrombectomy procedure at Manatee Memorial Hospital, means Bradenton residents now have immediate access to life-saving care right here in their community, close to local landmarks like the Bradenton Riverwalk, potentially preventing long-term disability for many.