Man has "miracle" recovery after heart defect causes rare massive stroke

Todd Meiklejohn, a teacher and biker, experienced sudden, severe symptoms on Aug. 8, 2025, including paralysis on his right side and loss of sight in one eye. About 45 minutes later, his wife found him and called 911. He was taken to Miami Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health, where doctors diagnosed a massive stroke and performed a mechanical thrombectomy, using a catheter to remove a clot. The procedure began just 38 minutes after the call, enabling rapid blood-flow restoration. He spoke and moved again shortly after surgery, was discharged in less than 48 hours, and his cardiology workup found a PFO.