PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Wikholm, Gunnar
TI  - Transarterial Embolectomy in Acute Stroke
DP  - 2003 May 01
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
PG  - 892--894
VI  - 24
IP  - 5
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/24/5/892.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/24/5/892.full
SO  - Am. J. Neuroradiol.2003 May 01; 24
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An embolus causing cerebral ischemia is a major cause of death and disability, and the search for methods to reestablish blood flow is of major importance. A technique for the emergent primary treatment of cerebral emboli causing stroke is presented in detail.METHODS: The method developed implies the mechanical extraction of the embolus with a standard vascular retrieval snare via the endovascular route without the use of thrombolytic agents.RESULTS: Five consecutive patients were treated to extract an embolus. All patients had substantial improvement in their clinical status. No revascularization hemorrhages occurred.CONCLUSION: In this small series, the embolectomy method described was reproducible, rapid, and safe. It may offer an alternative to other methods of vascular recanalization.