Neuro-interventionalists with SSM Neurosciences Institute offer a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive alternative to the tPA pharmaceutical stroke treatment. A procedure call Mechanical Clot Retrieval allows specially trained physicians to advance a tiny catheter from the femoral artery to the site of the stroke-causing blood clot, grab it and remove it from the body. Blood flow resumes immediately and the effects of the stroke are minimized. This procedure expands the window of opportunity to successfully treat a stroke by several hours beyond that of tPA treatment.
The retrieval technology is performed using sophisticated biplane brain imaging technology that allows the physician to guide the catheter in real time to the blockage. The retriever features a tiny corkscrew-shaped device that works by wrapping around the clot and trapping it. Once secured, the physician pulls the clot down the catheter and removes it.
More than 10,000 patients worldwide have benefited from the clot retrieval procedure. This advanced stroke treatment is available at SSM DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton and SSM St. Clare Health Center in Fenton.