A 37-year-old female with known cardiac disease and arrythmia presented with a sudden onset of weakness of the left side of the body – a typical sign of an acute stroke occurring on the right side of the brain.

En route to the hospital, the ‘Code Red’ protocol was activated. This life-saving protocol ensures that those involved in diagnosing and treating stroke patients are swiftly available and organise themselves efficiently to work together. On arrival, A CT Brain with angiogram was performed, confirming the cause of stroke and it’s location within the brain: a clot blocking off her right distal internal carotid artery with features of a large evolving right hemispheric stroke. Our Interventional Radiology team at Lake, Smit and Partners was mobilised to perform an arteriogram and thrombectomy.

Volume Rendered images from the CT Angiogram confirming area of restricted flow

The clot was removed by performing a thrombectomy whereby a small catheter was thread through an artery in her groin up to her brain to where the clot is located to remove it. This delicate procedure was achieved using a combination of catheters, guidewires, stents and suction.

Another arteriogram confirmed restored blood flow to the previously restricted area.

A mere 6 days later, this young patient showed a remarkable recovery. The short clip below demonstrates her ability to move and control her left side after such a successful Interventional Thrombectomy.

Without our Interventional Radiology team here at Lake, Smit and Partners, this patient would have suffered life-long disabilities – so severe that it would have affected her quality of life and independence.