Mechanical thrombectomy is a procedure for removing a thrombus (clot) that is obstructing a cerebral artery and causing the ischemic stroke (brain attack).
There are currently two systems used for thrombus removal: the thromboaspiration system and the use of stent retrievers (see video and details below).
The procedure is performed under anesthesia in an angiography equipment (which generates X-rays).
A balloon-tipped catheter, inserted through the femoral artery in the groin, is guided through the aorta artery to the head, and will provide access for the selective catheterization of the cerebral arteries.
A microcatheter (guided by a micro guidewire), which goes through the balloon catheter, is delivered to the thrombus that is occluding the cerebral artery.
A stent-retriever is inserted into the microcatheter and pushed through the clot in order to capture it.
After 5 minutes, the stent (with the captured thrombus) and the microcatheter are pulled back under continuous aspiration through the balloon catheter inflated into the carotid artery. After the removal of the clot, cerebral flow is reestablished.
