A large new trial provides the first substantial evidence that new devices can improve the outcome of patients who have acute ischemic stroke. Earlier, less sophisticated versions of the devices had produced disappointing results in clinical trials. The previous trials may also have been hindered by long treatment delays and difficulties in recruiting suitable patients. The new devices are retrievable stents that extract blood clots from inside vessels.
MR CLEAN (The Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands), published in the New England Journal of Medicine today, was designed to address the limitations of these previous trials. 500 patients with ischemic stroke were randomized to usual care or the addition of intraarterial treatment within 6 hours of symptom onset.
…
Click here to read the full post on Forbes.
Speak Your Mind