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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Nov 16, 2014; 2(11): 614-622
Published online Nov 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i11.614
Published online Nov 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i11.614
Evolution of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke
Colin J Przybylowski, Dale Ding, Robert M Starke, R Webster Crowley, Kenneth C Liu, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States
Christopher R Durst, Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to this work including conception, design, and article drafting; final manuscript version approved by Liu KC.
Correspondence to: Kenneth C Liu, MD, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, PO Box 800212, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States. kenneth.c.liu@virginia.edu
Telephone: +1-434-9242735 Fax: +1-434-9249656
Received: May 14, 2014
Revised: July 11, 2014
Accepted: September 17, 2014
Published online: November 16, 2014
Revised: July 11, 2014
Accepted: September 17, 2014
Published online: November 16, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: This review discusses the critical advancements in endovascular device technology for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy is becoming an increasingly utilized treatment approach for patients in whom intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is ineffective or contraindicated. While three recent randomized controlled trials found no benefit of endovascular thrombectomy over intravenous therapy, it is important for clinicians to understand the limitations of these trials and recognize the expected key role of endovascular therapy in the future management of stroke patients.