Recognise stroke: BE FAST
B — Balance: sudden loss of balance. E — Eyes: sudden vision change. F — Face: facial droop. A — Arms: weakness in one arm. S — Speech: new difficulty speaking. T — Time: call emergency services immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to improve.
What is mechanical thrombectomy?
Mechanical thrombectomy is an endovascular procedure to remove a blood clot blocking a major artery supplying the brain. Depending on anatomy, clot location and imaging, an aspiration catheter, stent retriever or a combination of devices may be used.
Which patients are eligible?
Not every stroke can be treated with thrombectomy. Clinical examination and urgent brain and vascular imaging help determine the presence of a treatable large-vessel occlusion and the amount of threatened but potentially salvageable tissue.
Other treatment and recovery
Eligible patients may receive intravenous thrombolysis. Stroke care also includes appropriate monitoring, secondary prevention and rehabilitation. Decisions are individualised.