Dr Cristina Russo MD MRCP (Lond) PhD PgD Stroke

Consultant in Acute Medicine and Stroke

London Surrey

Contact CV

Medico-Legal Experience

A Consultant Physician specialising Acute Medicine and Stroke, Dr Cristina Russo has been developing her medico-legal practice since 2023, providing independent expert opinion in clinical negligence and coroner-related cases involving acute medical care and stroke management. She accepts approximately 20 to 30 instructions each year.

Her reports address issues relating to diagnosis, clinical decision-making and management in stroke and acute medicine. Areas of instruction include:

  • Intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke
  • Mechanical thrombectomy, including eligibility, treatment delays and outcomes
  • Intracerebral and subdural haemorrhage, including delayed diagnosis or intervention
  • Impact of discontinuing anticoagulation in stroke and cardiology patients
  • Stroke misdiagnosis, including transient ischaemic attack and stroke mimics
  • Missed or delayed diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection
  • Varied sepsis presentations and delayed escalation
  • Intestinal obstruction and unrecognised abdominal emergencies

Dr Russo has undertaken formal expert witness training with Bond Solon and holds the Cardiff University Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate (CUBS). Her training includes Civil and Criminal Law and Procedure, Excellence in Report Writing, Courtroom Skills and Cross-Examination.

Her reports are impartial, clearly reasoned and evidence-based, drawing on both her clinical expertise and her experience of healthcare governance and patient safety systems.

Clinical Experience

Dr Russo has over 20 years of clinical experience. Her practice focuses on complex neurovascular conditions and acute medical presentations, particularly where rapid diagnosis and structured clinical decision-making are essential.

She has particular expertise in hyperacute stroke care, including advanced imaging interpretation and treatment decision-making for thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Her clinical work involves managing patients with acute ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage and complications related to anticoagulation.

Alongside stroke medicine, Dr Russo has extensive experience in acute medical emergencies. These include sepsis, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, subdural haemorrhage and abdominal emergencies such as intestinal obstruction. Her clinical background also includes senior leadership roles, including Clinical Lead and Deputy Head of Safety, giving her detailed insight into both frontline clinical practice and wider governance, safety and system processes within acute hospital care.

Special Interests

Dr Russo has a special interest in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of stroke, with particular focus on complex stroke presentations, acute stroke management and risk reduction.

  • Acute stroke
  • Intravenous thrombolysis
  • Mechanical thrombectomy (including telemedicine)
  • Ischaemic stroke
  • Haemorrhagic stroke
  • Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
  • Stroke mimics (including migraine)
  • Stroke and migraine
  • Stroke prevention
  • Anticoagulation
  • Stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation
  • Stroke in immunological conditions
  • Vasculitis and stroke
  • HRT and stroke risk (including women on HRT)
  • Young stroke

Memberships of Professional Bodies

  • GMC registered, with licence to practise
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
  • Bond Solon Expert Witness trained

Further information

Dr Russo’s full CV, including research publications, clinical trial leadership (PI in RECOVERY and ASPIRING trials; Co-PI in SELECT and multiple COVID trials), academic qualifications, and leadership roles, is available to download.