New stroke treatment could prevent disability: Stroke Association comments

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has suggested that patients with severe stroke recover better and faster with a new stroke treatment called thrombectomy.

With this new method, a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel through a small opening in the groin and advanced to an artery in the neck. Subsequently a thin catheter is navigated to the blocked artery in the brain. The blood clot is then captured using a small stent and removed from the brain through the catheter in the neck.

Dr Shamim Quadir, Research Communications Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “Thrombolysis is the only proven treatment which can limit the damage caused by acute ischaemic stroke, the type of stroke caused by a blockage of an artery in the brain by a blood clot. However, it must be administered within 4.5 hours of stroke onset, and benefits around one in seven people treated. 

“This latest research was conducted with patients who had a confirmed diagnosis of a ‘proximal intracranial occlusion,’ a type of ischaemic stroke associated with both poor thrombolysis treatment and outcome for patients.

“The study suggests that another treatment called thrombectomy can be used to help these patients when used within six hours of stroke onset, in addition to thrombolysis. Thrombectomy is where the blood clot causing the stroke is pulled out of the brain, typically using devices inserted into an artery called retrievable stents.  This could help save more people from disability as a result of stroke.

“This is an extremely exciting field of stroke research. A number of different trials are currently investigating the potential for thrombectomy. Their results will help us find new and innovative ways to ensure more people make their best possible recovery from stroke.”