As well as being a painkiller, aspirin is an antiplatelet, which reduces the chances of another clot forming. Most people will be offered a regular dose of aspirin. The procedure can be done under local or general anaesthetic. The blood clot can then be removed using the device, or through suction. A small device is passed through the catheter into the artery in the brain. The procedure involves inserting a catheter into an artery, often in the groin. It's most effective when started as soon as possible after a stroke. Thrombectomy is only effective at treating ischaemic strokes caused by a blood clot in a large artery in the brain. This removes blood clots and helps restore blood flow to the brain. ThrombectomyĪ small number of severe ischaemic strokes can be treated by an emergency procedure called a thrombectomy. This is because the medicine can make the bleeding that occurs in haemorrhagic strokes worse. It's not generally recommended if more than 4.5 hours have passed, as it's not clear how beneficial it is when used after this time.īefore alteplase can be used, it's very important that a brain scan is done to confirm a diagnosis of an ischaemic stroke. This use of "clot-busting" medicine is known as thrombolysis.Īlteplase is most effective if started as soon as possible after the stroke occurs – and certainly within 4.5 hours. Ischaemic strokes can often be treated using injections of a medicine called alteplase, which dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain. Some of these medicines need to be taken immediately and only for a short time, while others may only be started once the stroke has been treated and may need to be taken long term. If you have had an ischaemic stroke, a combination of medicines to treat the condition and prevent it happening again is usually recommended. Treatment usually involves taking 1 or more different medicines, although some people may also need surgery.