Mechanical Thrombectomy for LVO Stroke May Be “One of the Most Powerful Treatments in All of Medicine”
Dileep R. Yavagal, MD, Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Chief Interventional Neurologist at the University of Miami – Miller School of Medicine, describes a treatment that has emerged as the standard of care for patients who suffer a large vessel occlusion (LVO) form of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Studies from the last 5–7 years have indicated that “compared to medical management, endovascular therapy results in favorable functional independence, health-related quality of life, and cognitive function at long-term follow-up for patients with AIS.” Dr. Yavagal emphasizes the power of this treatment to have benefits for patients who are fortunate enough to receive this treatment within 24 hours of stroke onset.