Cerebral catheterization is a treatment option for Stroke, which corresponds to the interruption of blood flow to some regions of the brain due to the presence of clots, for example, within some vessels. Thus, cerebral catheterization aims to remove the clot and restore blood flow to the brain, thus preventing stroke-related sequelae. Find out what causes stroke and how to avoid it.
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and in the absence of complications, the patient is released from the hospital 48 hours after the procedure.
How is done
Cerebral catheterization is done by placing a flexible tube, the catheter, which runs from the artery located in the groin to the vessel in the brain that is obstructed so that the clot is removed. Clot removal through catheterization can be helped by the administration of anticoagulants, which further increases the effectiveness of this treatment.
This procedure is not very invasive, made from a small cut in the groin, and is performed under general anesthesia. If there are no complications, the person can be released from the hospital 48 hours after the procedure.
The brain cannot support the lack of blood and oxygen for a long time, so it is important that catheterization is performed as soon as possible to avoid major damage. Thus, the success of the treatment depends on the extent and the time that the obstruction of the vessel occurred.
Cerebral catheterization is indicated 24 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms and is recommended for people who have a major obstruction in some cerebral artery or in people whose treatment through the administration of anticoagulant drugs directly in the vein is not effective. See other ways to treat stroke.
Possible risks
Like any other surgical procedure, cerebral catheterization can have some risks, such as bleeding in the brain or at the site where the catheter was introduced. However, despite this, this procedure is considered safe and quite efficient, being able to avoid the sequelae of stroke, which can be quite serious and debilitating. Find out what can happen after having a stroke.
