Clot removal surgery versus medication for late-stage stroke

This trial is testing endovascular thrombectomy—a minimally invasive procedure that removes blood clots from major vessels in the brain—in stroke patients who arrive at the hospital between 24 and 72 hours after their stroke begins. Normally, this clot removal procedure is only used in the first few hours after a stroke, but this study explores whether it may still help patients who arrive later. Researchers will compare this treatment to the best available medical management (medications and supportive care) to see if the procedure improves patients' ability to function independently 90 days after treatment.

Most stroke patients who could benefit from clot removal are treated very early—within the first few hours. However, some patients arrive at the hospital after that window has closed, and doctors are uncertain whether clot removal still helps them. This trial exists to answer that question and potentially give hope to patients whose stroke is discovered later than usual.