Thrombectomy Specialist

What is thrombectomy?

Thrombectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or more blood clots from a vein or artery. When blood thickens and clumps within a blood vessel, a clot can develop that slows or stops the flow of blood. That can be dangerous and even life-threatening. 

What is dural venous sinus thrombosis?

Dural venous sinus thrombosis, or DVST, is a blood clot in your brain. It’s one of several types of blood clots that can occur in the brain, along with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, deep cerebral vein thrombosis, and cortical vein thrombosis. 

If you have DVST, securing immediate medical treatment is critical. Left untreated, DVST can be deadly, as it carries a nearly 50% mortality rate. When treated, the survival rate increases to just over 62%. DVST is believed to cause between .5%-1% of all strokes. 

How do I know if I have DVST?

Not all cases present symptoms, but when signs are present, they might include:

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Altered vision

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, seek emergency medical treatment  right away. Pregnant women have a higher rate of DVST because the body increases blood clotting ability during pregnancy. 

Treatment for DVST in pregnant women requires a great deal of expertise to protect the health of both mother and child. The experts at RIA Neurovascular can help create an effective treatment path. 

What are the treatment options for DVST?

Medication may play a role in your treatment plan. Some drugs provide a systemic anticoagulation effect helping to break apart the clot or reduce its size. 

Another approach is called thrombolysis and works by delivering clot-busting medications through a catheter inserted directly into the affected blood vessel.

Thrombectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot. The process works by accessing the blood vessel through a catheter. A thrombectomy device captures and clot and removes it from the vessel. 

Balloon angioplasty is often performed during the same procedure. This process inflates a tiny medical balloon within the blood vessel to create room for clot removal. Thrombolysis, using medicines to break apart a clot, can play a vital role during this approach. 

Thrombectomy is just one of many advanced treatments available from the team at RIA Neurovascular. To explore all the available options, book a consultation online or over the phone.