How Effective Is Endovascular Thrombectomy for Treating Blocked Brain Vessels?

Endovascular thrombectomy has become a highly effective treatment option for patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. The success rate of this minimally invasive procedure is remarkably high, with studies indicating a success rate of over 95% in many cases. It is rare for medical teams to be unable to remove the clot completely, especially when the procedure is performed within the optimal time window.

Understanding the Procedure

This procedure is typically performed as an emergency intervention, especially when a major cerebral artery is blocked by a blood clot. Generally, large vessels in the brain are considered to be around 2–3 mm in diameter, which makes them accessible for mechanical thrombectomy. Smaller vessels, however, may not be suitable for this type of intervention due to technical limitations. In such cases, intravenous thrombolytic drugs like alteplase are often used as the primary treatment option.

The Step-by-Step Process of Stent Retrieval

When a blockage occurs in a cerebral artery and the vessel distal to the clot is not visible, interventional neuroradiologists use a guidewire to cross the occluded segment. Once the guidewire is in place, a catheter is advanced over the wire to reach the site of the blockage. After positioning the catheter correctly, the guidewire is removed and contrast dye is injected through the catheter to visualize the downstream blood flow and confirm the location of the clot.

Next, a self-expanding stent retriever is delivered through the catheter and deployed directly into the clot. After allowing 3–5 minutes for the stent to fully expand and entrap the thrombus, the device is carefully withdrawn along with the captured clot. This technique, known as stent retriever thrombectomy, has revolutionized stroke care and significantly improved patient outcomes when performed promptly.