medicalmonday

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability and the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States. After a person suffers a stroke, it’s critical that treatment start as soon as possible. For every hour’s delay in medical treatment, the brain loses 120 million cells. Typically, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is given at the onset of stroke to help dissolve clots blocking blood flow to the brain. But for strokes with large blockages, tPA may not always be effective. Now, stroke experts at UPMC are utilizing a groundbreaking treatment to treat strokes with large blockages and improve patient outcomes. This treatment is called endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), also known as mechanical thrombectomy.

Here, you’ll learn about:

  • How tPA is used to treat stroke
  • Why endovascular thrombectomy is used to treat strokes with large blockages.
  • How thrombectomy works.

To learn more about strokes, contact the UPMC Stroke Institute to schedule an appointment or ask a question at 412-232-8840.