Percutaneous vascular interventions for acute ischaemic stroke.

Most disabling strokes are due to blockage of a large artery in the brain by a blood clot. Prompt removal of the clot with intra-arterial thrombolytic drugs or mechanical devices, or both, can restore blood flow before major brain damage has occurred, leading to improved recovery. However, these so-called percutaneous vascular interventions can cause bleeding in the brain.