Clot removal days after a stroke could help more patients recover, but the procedure is not without risks
After a person suffers a stroke, the clock starts ticking for doctors. Every minute that blood flow to the brain remains blocked, more brain tissue risks permanent damage or death. One way to restore circulation is through endovascular thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that can physically remove the clot, restore blood flow and significantly reduce the risk of long-term disability or…
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that endovascular thrombectomy, a procedure used to remove clots in stroke patients, can potentially improve recovery outcomes even beyond the first 24 hours after a stroke. The LATE-MT trial, a randomized controlled trial involving 336 patients across 35 stroke centers in China, discovered that those who received thrombectomy alongside standard care had significantly better functional recovery at 90 days.
Approximately 49% of treated patients were able to live independently, compared to 35% of those who received medication alone. While endovascular thrombectomy is generally considered effective when performed within the first 24 hours of a stroke, this study suggests that the procedure may still offer benefits for some patients up to 72 hours post-stroke, although it comes with inherent risks.
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