New stroke procedure yields positive results in trials

A new procedure that opens blocked arteries in the brain using a removable stent system has yielded positive results in people experiencing a stroke.

The interventional treatment was performed on more than 140 stroke patients across the US within eight hours of suffering an acute ischemic stroke.

Researchers used a catheter to guide a small stent from the groin to areas of the brain were the blood clot has formed.

The stent then expands the interior walls of the artery and allows blood flow to return to the brain to prevent damage.

Dr Wayne Clark, co-author of the study, stated: "I really think this is going to be a game changer.

"These results showed that not only could we open up the blood vessel but we can help many more people recover fully from their strokes when this stent retriever procedure is used."

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common forms of stroke world-wide and can occur when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain.

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