Mechanical Thrombectomy
When a stroke strikes, every minute counts. Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that physically removes blood clots from blocked brain arteries — restoring blood flow and saving lives. Dr. Hilal Ahmad Ganaie pioneered this procedure in Kashmir.
Understanding Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain. Without immediate treatment, brain cells begin dying within minutes — approximately 1.9 million neurons are lost every minute during a stroke. Mechanical thrombectomy offers the most effective treatment for large vessel occlusion strokes, with the ability to dramatically reverse neurological damage when performed within the treatment window.
Signs & Symptoms
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side)
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
Facial drooping — one side of the face droops or feels numb
How Mechanical Thrombectomy Works
Emergency Assessment
The patient undergoes immediate CT/MRI brain imaging to confirm the stroke type, locate the clot, and assess the extent of salvageable brain tissue using perfusion imaging.
Catheter Insertion
Under general or conscious sedation, a small catheter is inserted through the femoral artery in the groin and carefully navigated through the blood vessels to the brain using real-time X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance.
Clot Removal
Once the catheter reaches the clot, a specialized stent retriever device is deployed to capture and extract the clot, or an aspiration catheter is used to suction it out. This immediately restores blood flow to the affected brain region.
Post-Procedure Monitoring
After clot removal, the patient is monitored in the ICU/stroke unit. Follow-up imaging confirms successful blood flow restoration. Most patients show significant neurological improvement within hours to days.
Recovery After Thrombectomy
Recovery varies based on stroke severity and how quickly treatment was initiated. Patients treated within the golden window (first 6 hours) typically have significantly better outcomes.
First 24-48 Hours
ICU monitoring with neurological assessments every 2-4 hours. Blood pressure and blood sugar management.
1-2 Weeks
Hospital stay for rehabilitation assessment. Speech therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy begin as appropriate.
1-3 Months
Active rehabilitation period. Most patients see significant improvement in function. Regular follow-up appointments with the neuro team.
3-6 Months
Continued improvement is common. Risk factor management (blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol) to prevent recurrence. Long-term antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy as prescribed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly does thrombectomy need to be performed?
Ideally within 6 hours of symptom onset, though select patients may benefit up to 24 hours. The sooner the better — 'time is brain.'
What is the success rate?
In experienced centres like ours, successful recanalization (blood flow restoration) is achieved in over 85-90% of cases. Dr. Hilal's centre maintains a 98% success rate across all neurovascular procedures.
Is the procedure painful?
No. The procedure is performed under anaesthesia (general or conscious sedation). Patients do not feel pain during the catheter-based intervention.
What are the risks?
While generally safe, risks include bleeding at the catheter site, vessel injury, and rarely, haemorrhagic transformation. These risks are significantly outweighed by the benefit of restoring blood flow to the brain.
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Need Expert Consultation?
Dr. Hilal Ahmad Ganaie and the team are here to help. Book an appointment or reach out via WhatsApp for immediate assistance.