Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of neurological disability and death worldwide. It occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked due to a clot. In recent years, the advent of thrombectomy or clot removal has revolutionized the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. One of the most effective tools in thrombectomy is the stent retriever or the clot retriever device.
Stent retrievers are endovascular devices that can remove clots from large arteries in patients with acute ischemic stroke. These devices are designed to be delivered through a catheter into the artery where the clot has formed. The stent retriever is then deployed and expands, trapping the clot within the stent. The device is then pulled back out of the artery with the clot firmly embedded within the stent.
The success rate of thrombectomy has been shown to be higher with the use of stent retrievers compared to other thrombectomy devices or medical management alone. Studies have found that patients treated with stent retrievers have a significantly higher rate of functional independence and lower mortality rates.
The procedure of using a stent retriever for thrombectomy requires a high level of expertise and training. It is typically performed by interventional neuroradiologists, neurointerventional surgeons or neurologists with specialized training in neuroendovascular therapy. The procedure is performed under conscious sedation or general anesthesia and requires access to advanced imaging equipment.
The use of stent retrievers for thrombectomy is constantly evolving and researchers are investigating ways to improve the technology. Recent studies have explored the use of advanced imaging techniques to improve patient selection for the treatment, as well as the development of new stent retrievers with improved efficacy.