Clinical Trends for April 2016

Ryan Syrek

Disclosures

April 29, 2016

Each week, we identify one top search term, speculate as to what caused its popularity, and provide an infographic on a related condition. If you have thoughts about what's trending and why, feel free to share them with us on Twitter or Facebook!

Clinical Trend of the Week (April 23-29): Stent Retriever

Odds are improving for some patients at risk for serious consequences. A new study in the journal Radiology found that stent retrievers may represent a major tool in helping patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke. The study found that if blood flow was restored to the brain within 2.5 hours of symptom onset, minimal or no disability was found in 91% of patients. The longer the delay in treatment, the worse the outcome; every 60 minute delay after 3.5 hours resulted in a 20% decrease in the likelihood of functional independence. Stent retrievers, mesh devices threaded through a blood vessel in the groin, are used to gain access to blocked arteries in the head and capture and remove the clot. This tool has the potential to help stroke patients maintain healthy and functional lives, explaining the surge in searches regarding its use.

For more information on Ischemic Stroke, read here.

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