Removing Clots Better For Stroke Treatment Than Medication, Alone

Statistics show that stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 140,000 people dying from the health issue every year. Treatment and recovery can be rather challenging and timing plays a critical factor when it comes to getting help. Now, new studies conducted by researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles Stroke Center find that retrieving the clot from the artery is more likely to offer faster and better stroke recovery than medications, alone.

"Catching the clot and fishing it out of the blocked artery to reopen it makes a big difference in outcome," said Dr. Jeffrey Saver, via The Diabetes Insider. The director of the University of California-Los Angeles Stroke Center goes on to describe that devices which retrieve clots are nothing new, but it was until now "we hadn't had a clinical trial showing that they made patients better."

For their research, the study authors examined 5000 patients in the Netherlands. Findings revealed that around 33 percent of the those achieving functional independence when treated with the new method-almost double the success of treatment with clot-dissolving drugs.

Researchers believe that the findings will help people better understand the importance of getting to the hospital as soon as possible if they're experiencing symptoms of a stroke. Timing for this health matter is certainly essential.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the New England Journal of Medicine.