Thrombectomy is a medical procedure that removes a blood clot from a blood vessel to restore normal blood flow and prevent permanent damage to tissues or organs. As a patient, understanding why it is done, how it works, and what to expect can make the idea of such an urgent procedure less overwhelming and more manageable.
What is Thrombectomy?
Thrombectomy is an interventional or surgical technique used to physically remove a thrombus, which is the medical term for a blood clot, from an artery or vein. In many cases, the clot blocks blood flow to vital areas such as the brain, heart, or limbs. When blood cannot reach these tissues, cells begin to die within minutes to hours. Thrombectomy aims to quickly reopen the blocked vessel, restore circulation, and limit long-term damage. It is most performed in conditions such as acute ischemic stroke, certain types of heart attacks, and severe limb-threatening clots in the legs.
Why is Thrombectomy Performed?
The core reason for performing thrombectomy is time-sensitive tissue rescue. When a clot blocks blood flow in the brain, a stroke occurs, and brain cells begin to die very quickly. In heart attacks, heart muscle suffers damage for every minute the artery remains blocked. Similarly, when a clot lodges in a major limb artery, the arm or leg can be at risk of permanent damage or amputation.
Thrombectomy offers a way to directly remove the obstruction rather than waiting for medications alone to dissolve it. For many patients, it can significantly reduce disability, preserve organ function, and, in some cases, be lifesaving. Doctors usually decide to perform thrombectomy when imaging confirms a large, accessible clot and when the patient arrives within a certain time window from symptom onset.
What are the Types of Thrombectomy?
There are two broad approaches to thrombectomy: catheter-based (endovascular) and open surgical. Catheter-based thrombectomy is minimally invasive and is the standard for most strokes and many limb clots. In this method, a thin tube is inserted through a small puncture in the groin or wrist and guided through the blood vessels to the clot using X-ray imaging. Special devices at the catheter tip then capture or break up the clot. Surgical thrombectomy, by contrast, involves making an incision directly over the affected vessel, opening it, and manually removing the clot. This is more invasive and typically reserved for situations where catheter access is not possible, the clot is very large or complex, or there is associated vessel injury that needs repair.
Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke
Mechanical thrombectomy has transformed the treatment of acute ischemic stroke caused by large-vessel occlusion in the brain. In this procedure, a neurointerventional specialist uses a catheter to navigate from an artery in the groin or wrist up into the blocked brain artery. Devices such as stent retrievers or aspiration catheters are then used to ensnare or suction out the clot. For eligible patients, this is usually done in addition to clot-dissolving medication given through the vein, not instead of it. The benefit is greatest when performed as early as possible, often within six hours of symptom onset, though in selected patients the window can be extended based on advanced imaging. Many studies have shown that timely mechanical thrombectomy significantly improves the chances of walking independently and living with less disability after a major stroke.
Thrombectomy in Heart and Limb Vessels
While the best-known use of thrombectomy is in stroke care, the procedure also plays an important role in other parts of the body. In some heart attacks, particularly those where there is a heavy clot burden, interventional cardiologists may use aspiration thrombectomy devices to remove clots from coronary arteries before placing a stent. This can improve blood flow and help prevent complications such as slow reflow or no reflow, where the vessel does not open properly despite stenting. In peripheral arteries, such as those in the legs, thrombectomy is used to treat acute limb ischaemia, a sudden blockage that causes severe pain, coldness, and loss of pulses in the limb. Rapid removal of the clot can salvage the limb and prevent the need for amputation. Thrombectomy also has a role in certain venous conditions, including extensive deep vein thrombosis, particularly when there is a risk of damage to critical veins or the development of long-term complications like post-thrombotic syndrome.
How is the Thrombectomy Procedure Performed?
Before thrombectomy, the medical team usually performs imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs, angiography, or ultrasound to confirm the presence, location, and size of the clot. Once the decision is made, the patient is taken to a specialised suite, often called a catheterisation lab or interventional radiology lab.
For catheter-based procedures, the skin in the groin or wrist is cleaned and numbed, and a small puncture is made to insert the catheter. The doctor then gently guides the catheter through the blood vessels under live X-ray guidance until it reaches the clot. Depending on the device, the clot may be captured in a tiny mesh stent and pulled out, or it may be aspirated using strong suction.
The team checks blood flow repeatedly to ensure the vessel is reopened. After removal of the clot, the catheter is withdrawn, and pressure or a closure device is applied to the puncture site. In surgical thrombectomy, an incision exposes the affected vessel, which is opened, cleared of clot, and then repaired.
What are the Benefits of Thrombectomy?
The main benefit of thrombectomy is rapid restoration of blood flow to threatened organs or limbs. For stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion, thrombectomy can dramatically increase the chance of regaining independence, speaking, and walking normally.
In heart attacks and limb ischaemia, it reduces the area of permanent damage and improves survival and functional outcomes. Because many thrombectomy procedures are done through small punctures rather than large incisions, recovery is often quicker and less painful than with traditional open surgery.
The procedure can be targeted precisely to the blocked vessel, sparing surrounding tissues. For some patients who cannot receive clot-dissolving medications due to bleeding risk, thrombectomy provides a vital alternative.
What are the Risks and Possible Complications of Thrombectomy?
Like any invasive procedure, thrombectomy carries risks. Complications can include bleeding at the puncture or surgical site, damage to the blood vessel, or dislodging pieces of clot that travel further downstream and block smaller vessels. In brain procedures, there is a risk of haemorrhagic stroke, where bleeding occurs in or around the brain after the vessel is reopened.
Contrast dye used during imaging may affect kidney function in susceptible patients. Infection, allergic reactions, or complications related to anaesthesia can also occur. The overall risk level depends on the patient’s age, general health, location of the clot, and the urgency of the situation. Despite these risks, for many patients facing severe stroke, heart attack, or limb-threatening clots, the potential benefits of restoring blood flow outweigh the potential harms.
What is the Recovery and Follow-Up Process for Thrombectomy?
Recovery after thrombectomy varies widely based on the underlying condition and the extent of damage before the clot was removed. After a stroke thrombectomy, patients usually spend time in an intensive care or stroke unit for close monitoring. Rehabilitation with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy often begins early to maximise recovery.
For limb or venous thrombectomy, mobility and limb function are assessed frequently, and patients are encouraged to move as soon as it is safe. Medications such as blood thinners, antiplatelet agents, or cholesterol-lowering drugs may be prescribed to reduce the risk of new clots forming.
Follow-up imaging may be performed to ensure the treated vessel remains open. Lifestyle changes, including stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and controlling blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, play a crucial role in preventing recurrence.
Who is the Right Candidate for Thrombectomy?
Not every patient with a clot is a candidate for thrombectomy. Doctors consider several factors, including the location and size of the clot, the time elapsed since symptoms began, existing medical conditions, and the patient’s overall functional status.
For example, in stroke, thrombectomy is usually reserved for large clots in major brain arteries, with imaging showing that a significant portion of brain tissue can still be saved. In limb ischaemia, the procedure is more likely when there is a sudden blockage threatening limb viability.
The decision is made by a multidisciplinary team that often includes neurologists, cardiologists, vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, anaesthesiologists, and critical-care specialists. The goal is to balance the urgency of restoring blood flow with the safety and likelihood of a meaningful recovery.
When to Seek Emergency Care for Thrombectomy?
Because thrombectomy is most effective when performed quickly, recognising the signs of conditions that may require it is essential. Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, or loss of vision may signal a stroke.
Crushing chest pain, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the jaw or arm may indicate a heart attack. Severe pain, sudden coldness, or loss of pulse in a limb can suggest acute limb ischaemia.
In any of these scenarios, immediate emergency medical attention is critical. Early arrival at a hospital with thrombectomy capability can make the difference between recovery and permanent disability.
For patients and families, the idea of thrombectomy may sound intimidating at first. However, it represents one of the most powerful tools modern medicines have to quickly reverse the effects of blood clots in critical vessels.
By understanding the purpose, process, benefits, and risks of thrombectomy, a patient can better participate in urgent treatment decisions and long-term recovery planning.
How Does Artemis Hospitals Help Patients with Thrombectomy?
Artemis Hospitals operates advanced catheterisation labs with real-time imaging for precise thrombectomy procedures. The 24/7 emergency department features experienced interventional radiologists, neuroradiologists, and cardiologists coordinating seamlessly to minimise delays during critical time windows. Post-operative care includes intensive monitoring, specialised rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and psychological support. The hospital maintains strict infection control and evidence-based protocols, ensuring patient safety. JCI and NABH accreditation guarantee international standards. With cutting-edge technology and experienced specialists, Artemis Hospitals delivers time-critical thrombectomy intervention that saves lives and preserves organ function for stroke, cardiac, and limb ischaemia patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time window for thrombectomy in stroke?
Most stroke thrombectomies occur within 6 hours of symptom onset, but selected patients may benefit up to 24 hours based on advanced brain imaging and specialist evaluation.
Will a patient need blood thinners after thrombectomy?
Most patients receive antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicines afterward to prevent new clots. The exact drug, dose, and duration depend on stroke type, heart rhythm, and bleeding risk.
Can thrombectomy reverse all stroke or heart damage?
Thrombectomy can limit further damage by restoring blood flow quickly, but it cannot revive tissue already irreversibly injured before treatment. Earlier treatment usually means better recovery potential.
Is thrombectomy possible if clot-busting injections are unsafe?
Yes. Patients who cannot receive thrombolytic drugs due to bleeding risks or recent surgery may still qualify for mechanical thrombectomy if imaging and timing are appropriate.
How is thrombectomy different from angioplasty and stenting?
Thrombectomy removes an existing clot directly. Angioplasty and stenting mainly widen narrowed vessels and keep them open. In some cases, doctors combine thrombectomy with angioplasty or stent placement.
Does age limit eligibility for thrombectomy?
Advanced age alone does not automatically exclude patients. Specialists assess overall health, functional status before the event, imaging findings, and goals of care rather than using a strict age cutoff.
Can a patient fly or travel long distances after thrombectomy?
Travel timing depends on the underlying condition, stability, and risk of new clots. Doctors often recommend delaying long flights for several weeks and ensuring appropriate medications and follow-up are arranged.
How can families support recovery after thrombectomy?
Families help by encouraging rehab exercises, monitoring medications, watching for new symptoms like weakness or chest pain, and supporting lifestyle changes such as diet improvement, smoking cessation, and regular follow-up visits.
Which is the nearest hospital for thrombectomy in Gurugram?
For patients in Gurugram, Artemis Hospitals, Sector 51, is one of the leading centres offering emergency stroke and vascular thrombectomy with advanced cath labs and 24×7 specialist support.
How much does thrombectomy cost in Gurugram?
Thrombectomy costs vary as per the hospital room type, consumables, and length of ICU stay. The overall expenses can range roughly from a few lakhs or more, especially if prolonged critical care or additional procedures are required.
Does my insurance policy cover thrombectomy?
Most comprehensive health insurance policies and corporate Mediclaim plans cover thrombectomy when it is medically indicated for conditions such as stroke, heart attack, or acute limb ischaemia, but co-payments, sub-limits, and exclusions may apply. Contact the insurer or the Artemis Hospitals TPA/insurance desk with the policy details to confirm exact coverage, pre-authorisation requirements, and any out-of-pocket estimates before or during admission.
