Recovery Time After Stent Placement for Cerebral Thrombosis

Stent placement is a minimally invasive procedure widely used in the treatment of vascular conditions in the brain. Today, interventional techniques can be applied to arteries in the neck such as the carotid artery, subclavian artery, and vertebral artery. Moreover, cerebral vessels inside the skull can also undergo stent implantation. For extracranial arteries like the carotid, subclavian, and vertebral arteries, these areas lack significant pain receptors. As a result, patients typically experience minimal discomfort during the procedure and do not require general anesthesia.

Procedures Conducted Under Local Anesthesia

Since these procedures are performed under local anesthesia, patients remain fully conscious throughout the process. This allows for real-time communication and cooperation with the medical team. Because the patient is already awake during the entire procedure, there is no specific time when they "wake up" post-procedure. The recovery process is usually immediate, with patients often returning to normal activity shortly after the intervention.

Intracranial Stenting and Anesthesia

When it comes to intracranial stenting, the situation is slightly different. During the placement of a stent within the brain's blood vessels, the passage of wires, catheters, or balloons may cause some degree of vessel stretching, which can lead to discomfort or pain. To ensure patient comfort and safety, most intracranial stent placements are performed under general anesthesia.

What to Expect After Intracranial Stenting

The entire procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour. After the stent is successfully placed, the anesthesia is gradually reduced, and patients are typically awakened quickly. Most individuals regain full consciousness shortly after the procedure and are able to respond to verbal commands within a short time frame. Recovery time may vary slightly depending on individual health factors, but overall, the process is smooth and well-tolerated by most patients.