Update on Neurointerventional Therapy for the Treatment of Acute Cerebral Ischemia

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a minimally invasive, fluoroscopically guided procedure to remove clots from the arteries in the head and neck. The procedure can be performed very quickly and effectively, with low complication rates, as techniques and technology have advanced in recent years. MT is among the most efficacious procedures performed today, with a very low number needed to treat (NNT) to impact outcomes. Expanded indications for MT include patients with large core infarcts, extended time windows from stroke onset, more distal occlusions, and milder symptoms. Trials have shown a significant benefit of MT in terms of reduced disability in nearly every patient population studied.