Acute Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying the brain. This reduces oxygen and blood flow, causing brain cells to become damaged. Common risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and narrowed arteries.
Symptoms
Sudden facial drooping, weakness in an arm or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, loss of balance or vision problems. A stroke is an emergency.
How interventional radiology treats it
In eligible patients, mechanical thrombectomy is performed by guiding a catheter through an artery, usually from the wrist or groin, to the blocked brain vessel. A specialised device removes the clot and restores blood flow. Early treatment improves the chance of recovery.
Whether this treatment suits you depends on your scans and overall health. A consultation is the first step.
Watch
Your doctors
Talk to an interventional radiologist.
Bring any scans or reports you have. We’ll tell you whether this treatment is an option.