Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs First in South Florida to Offer THUNDERBOLT® Stroke Technology

New computer-assisted thrombectomy technology expands advanced treatment options for patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke.

HIALEAH, FL, UNITED STATES, September 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs today announced that it is the first hospital in South Florida to offer THUNDERBOLT^® (Penumbra, Inc.), a computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT™) technology designed specifically to treat acute ischemic stroke by helping physicians capture and remove blood clots from the brain quickly and efficiently.

“When treating stroke, the focus is to remove the blood clot as quickly as possible to restore blood flow to the brain. Without timely treatment, many patients can be left severely disabled or may die,” said Dr. Wilson Cueva, Stroke Director at Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs. “THUNDERBOLT represents an important advancement, allowing our physicians to remove blood clots rapidly and more completely, which may help improve outcomes for stroke patients.”

“At Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs, we are committed to providing our patients with access to the most advanced treatment options available. Being the first hospital in South Florida to offer THUNDERBOLT reflects our continued investment in advanced stroke care and reinforces our commitment to delivering faster, more complete treatment when every second counts,” said Yoely Hernandez, MBA, BSN, RN, Chief Executive Officer of Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus. “Combined with the expertise of our stroke team, this technology strengthens our ability to provide innovative care and improve outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.”

Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally. In the United States, more than 795,000 people experience a stroke each year. Approximately 87% of strokes are ischemic, meaning blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot.

Recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), THUNDERBOLT incorporates an advanced technology called modulated aspiration, which is designed to detect, fatigue and ingest blood clots in the brain to help restore critical blood flow. The technology is combined with Penumbra’s RED^® Reperfusion Catheters, which are designed to navigate the brain’s complex anatomy and facilitate rapid removal of the blood clot responsible for the stroke.

According to Penumbra, THUNDERBOLT is currently the only computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT) product available in the United States specifically for addressing acute ischemic stroke. The availability of THUNDERBOLT at Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs expands the hospital’s advanced capabilities for treating patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke and underscores its commitment to providing timely, innovative neurological care to patients throughout South Florida.

Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus is a 247-bed acute care, statutory teaching hospital located in Hialeah, Florida, holding Comprehensive Stroke Center and STEMI Center designations. It is part of Larkin Health System, a Joint Commission-accredited, multi-campus health system serving South Florida. For more information, visit larkinhealth.com.

Frances Michel
Larkin Health System
+1 305-284-7700
francesr@larkinhospital.com
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Written By: EIN Presswire