Rockford Sun

Mercy Rockford Health System issued the following announcement on Feb. 19.

The Mercyhealth Stroke Team is the first in the northern Illinois region to perform a mechanical thrombectomy using the EMBOTRAP II Revascularization Device*, a new, innovative device used in a procedure that removes life-threatening blood clots from the brain to save victims of stroke from death or disability.

Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke, the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of disability. About 87 percent of strokes are caused by a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood to the brain and deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. For every minute blood flow is blocked, as many as 1.9 million brain cells die.

“Knowing where to go when someone has a stroke and how quickly you get there could mean the difference between life and death or functional independence or long-term disability,” said Dr. Vibhav Bansal, MD, JD, Neurointervention Medical Director. “Performing thrombectomies requires highly specialized training and facilities that not all hospitals have. At Mercyhealth, we’ve invested in the technology and in our stroke specialists so we can offer patients the best possible outcomes and new hope after a stroke.”

Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center (Joint Commission Certified) and is among a growing number of hospitals using the recently introduced EMBOTRAP II stent retriever for patients who get to the hospital within eight hours of the first signs of a stroke.

During a minimally-invasive procedure known as a thrombectomy, a tube (catheter) is threaded through an artery to the brain so the blood clot can be captured and removed by a stent retriever (EMBOTRAP II). The EMBOTRAP II, manufactured by CERENOVUS, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2018. The device has been available since 2016 in Europe, where more than 5,000 patients have been treated.

“Mercyhealth’s first patient to undergo this procedure presented with a stroke that is almost universally fatal,” said Dr. Bansal. “The clot that resulted in the stroke was in the artery that provides blood flow to parts of the brain that controls basic survival, including breathing. Despite receiving a clot busting medication, the clot did not dissolve. Therefore, the patient was taken for emergent mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the fatal blood clot from the brain. This was performed using the new EMBOTRAP II device. Our Stroke Team was able to successfully utilize the device to remove the blood clot and restore normal blood flow. The patient showed immediate improvement of his stroke symptoms and walked out of the hospital within a few days of the procedure.”

As with any surgical procedure, mechanical thrombectomy may present risks. Patients should consult with their doctors to discuss which type of procedure may be appropriate for them.

The National Stroke Association has developed the acronym FAST, as a way for people to remember and identify the most common symptoms of stroke.

FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

As with any surgical procedure, mechanical thrombectomy may present risks. Patients should consult with their doctors to discuss which type of procedure may be appropriate for them. The information contained in this material is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. You should talk to your doctor about what to expect and follow your surgeon’s advice regarding activities after surgery.

Surgery using EMBOTRAPÒ II Revascularization Device carries significant risks which should be discussed in detail with your doctor. Only your doctor can advise you whether the benefits of this procedure outweigh the risks in your situation, and whether this device and procedure are right for you. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition, your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure and its responses to the device. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience. Ask your doctor for more detailed information about this device, go to www.cerenovus.com and discuss this information with your doctor.

Limited warranty and disclaimer: CERENOVUS products are sold with a limited warranty to the original purchaser against defects in workmanship and materials. Any other express or implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness, are hereby disclaimed. Please also refer to the package insert(s) or other labeling associated with the devices identified in this document for additional information. Caution: Federal law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Not all products may currently be available in all markets.

Note: For recognized manufacturer, refer to the product label

Original source can be found here.

Source: Mercy Rockford Health System