Thrombectomy
Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the UK. In the UK around 9000 stroke patients per annum would be eligible for thrombectomy, or mechanical clot removal, an intervention which can substantially reduce disability if carried out within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms. Thrombectomy is more effective than the current standard treatment of thrombolysis (clot-busting drugs) however only a very small minority of patients are currently able to access thrombectomy. Currently very few UK centres have the critical mass of specialists and support teams to enable them to provide thrombectomy on a 24/7 basis. Following the announcement of a new tariff for thrombectomy, Oxford AHSN will be working to support implementation across our region.
- Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke: an implementation guide for the UK, July 2019 – download the guide here
- Read more in this news story, July 2019 (updated November 2019)
AHSNs have a key role
Prof Gary Ford CBE, Chief Executive of Oxford AHSN and Consultant Stroke Physician at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“AHSNs have a key role in ensuring the uptake of medical innovation that improves patient outcomes.”
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