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Things worth knowing about "Neurothrombectomy"
Neurothrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to mechanically remove blood clots from cerebral vessels in patients suffering an ischemic stroke.
What is Neurothrombectomy?
Neurothrombectomy (also referred to as mechanical thrombectomy) is a minimally invasive neuroradiological or neurosurgical procedure in which a blood clot (thrombus) is mechanically removed from a blocked cerebral artery. It is primarily used in patients experiencing an ischemic stroke caused by the occlusion of a large intracranial vessel. The primary goal of the procedure is to restore blood flow to the brain as quickly as possible in order to prevent or limit irreversible brain damage.
Causes and Indications
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue. Neurothrombectomy is indicated in cases of:
- Occlusion of large intracranial vessels (e.g., middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery, basilar artery)
- Stroke symptoms within a defined treatment window (typically up to 6 hours, and in selected cases up to 24 hours after symptom onset)
- Evidence of salvageable brain tissue on imaging (the so-called penumbra)
- Inadequate response to or contraindication for intravenous thrombolysis
Procedure Steps
The procedure is performed at a specialized hospital with a stroke unit and an interventional neuroradiology department. The typical process involves the following steps:
Preparation and Imaging
Before the procedure, rapid imaging with CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT angiography is performed to identify the exact location of the vessel occlusion and to assess the extent of already damaged and still salvageable brain tissue.
Access and Navigation
Under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, a thin catheter is inserted through the femoral artery in the groin or alternatively through the radial artery in the wrist. The catheter is advanced through the aorta and into the affected cerebral artery.
Clot Removal
The clot is removed using specialized endovascular instruments. The most common techniques include:
- Stent retriever: A self-expanding metal stent is deployed within the clot and mechanically pulls it out upon withdrawal.
- Aspiration thrombectomy: The clot is suctioned out through a large-bore catheter.
- Combined approach: Both techniques are used together for particularly difficult occlusions.
Completion
After successful recanalization, the catheter is removed and the access site is closed. The patient is then transferred to intensive care or the stroke unit for close monitoring.
Time Window and Urgency
In stroke medicine, the principle is: time is brain. Every minute a large cerebral vessel remains blocked, millions of neurons are lost. Rapid treatment is therefore critical. The recommended time window for neurothrombectomy is generally up to 6 hours after symptom onset, but can be extended to up to 24 hours in selected patients based on clinical presentation and imaging findings.
Outcomes and Benefits
Neurothrombectomy has revolutionized the treatment of ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion. Clinical trials demonstrate that patients who undergo successful thrombectomy achieve significantly better functional outcomes than those treated with medication alone. Key benefits include:
- High recanalization rates (vessel reopening achieved in up to 90% of cases)
- Significant reduction in disability and long-term care dependency
- Applicability in patients for whom thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated
Risks and Complications
As with any invasive procedure, neurothrombectomy carries potential risks:
- Intracerebral hemorrhage: Bleeding into brain tissue is the most serious complication.
- Embolization: Clot fragments may be displaced into other vessels.
- Vessel injury: Dissection or perforation of a cerebral artery.
- Contrast media reactions or contrast-induced kidney injury.
- General anesthesia risks if the procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
Aftercare and Rehabilitation
Following neurothrombectomy, patients are closely monitored in the stroke unit or intensive care unit. Subsequent neurological rehabilitation is an essential part of the treatment and includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and neuropsychological support. The goal is to achieve the best possible recovery of lost neurological functions.
References
- Berkhemer OA et al. - A Randomized Trial of Intraarterial Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke. New England Journal of Medicine, 2015.
- Goyal M et al. - Randomized Assessment of Rapid Endovascular Treatment of Ischemic Stroke (ESCAPE). New England Journal of Medicine, 2015.
- Powers WJ et al. - Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke. American Heart Association / American Stroke Association, Stroke, 2019.
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