The Procedure
Thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to treat severe strokes, using catheters to quickly reopen blocked arteries in the brain. This procedure can be done in as little as 20 minutes. The degree to which a patient recovers depends in large part on the amount of time that has elapsed since the artery was blocked.
The Research
Recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine have proven that thrombectomy is highly effective at treating ischemic stroke patients who have a severe stroke known as an emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO)—a clot that is blocking a large vessel and cutting off significant blood flow to the brain.
Thrombectomy results in less disability and fewer deaths. A study from the American Academy of Neurology found that severe stroke patients gain a week of healthy life for every minute saved in getting them the appropriate care.
Issues of Access
Thrombectomy can be a lifesaving procedure for severe stroke patients, yet less than 1/3 of eligible patients receive the surgery. Many states still do not have clear protocols to ensure a person who is having a severe stroke is transported directly to a Level 1 stroke center, where they would have access to a specially trained neuroendovascular care team that can help them 24/7/365.
Since 2016, the Get Ahead of Stroke® campaign has worked to improve systems of care for stroke and ensure severity-based Since 2016, the Get Ahead of Stroke® campaign has worked to improve systems of care for stroke and ensure severity-based triage, transport, and treatment, helping patients have the best chance to survive and thrive after stroke. This includes severe stroke patients having quick access to thrombectomy.
