Mechanical thrombolysis of acute ischemic stroke.
Chemical thrombolysis has been the mainstay of acute stroke treatment; however, these methods come with the risk of potentially lethal intracerebral hemorrhage. This article discusses the different methods of mechanical thrombolysis and other techniques used in the treatment of acute stroke, including angioplasty and stent placement. Some of the very latest technologies under development are reviewed. These techniques allow for a multimodal endovascular approach that includes chemical and mechanical thrombolysis to provide the optimum treatment for acute ischemic stroke.
Kuether
Todd A
TA
Dotter International Institute, and Department of Neuroradiology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR 97201, USA. kuethert@ohsu.edu
Nesbit
Gary M
GM
Barnwell
Stanley L
SL