Mechanical Thrombectomy Acute Stroke

Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which an interventional radiologist uses special equipment to remove a clot from a patient's artery. Using fluoroscopy or continuous X-rays, the doctor inserts instruments through the patient's arteries into the clot and removes it all at once.

The radiologist begins the procedure with a small incision in the wrist or abdomen, which provides access to an artery. After the incision, the doctor inserts a catheter through the artery to the blood clot. They then insert a small mesh-like device called a stent retriever into the catheter and advance it until it blocks. They then push the stent retriever through the clot.

Once the stent retriever has passed, it expands to the size of the artery wall. At this point, the stent retriever has captured the clot, and the doctor can remove it and remove the clot completely.