Press Release
By Baptist Health
The study revealed patients who experience larger strokes benefit from interventional treatment called thrombectomy.
Jacksonville, Fla., March 2, 2023 – Baptist Health of Northeast Florida participated in a large international clinical study, which found that patients experiencing a large stroke had significantly better recovery after receiving a thrombectomy, plus standard medical management. This outcomes data was compared to patients who received standard medical management alone.
Baptist Health’s Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center was one of 31 medical centers in the world that participated in the study.
What is a thrombectomy?
A thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is very effective for the treatment of ischemic strokes. Ischemic strokes, also called a “blocked brain vessel,” occur when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain.
During a thrombectomy, the physician inserts a catheter, guided by X-rays, into a patient’s blood vessel to remove the clot causing the blockage.
Why is this study significant?
Prior to this study, called SELECT2, thrombectomy treatment was used for patients who experienced strokes with a lesser degree of brain damage. The extent of brain damage is measured with advancing imaging techniques that determine the amount of dead brain tissue and the amount of tissue at risk for further damage.
Previously, patients with a large amount of dead brain tissue may have been excluded from thrombectomy and treated with medical therapy alone, as it was felt thrombectomy increased their risk of a life-threatening brain hemorrhage. Patients with existing damage have much higher rates of death and permanent disability.
The results of the trial show that patients experiencing larger strokes benefit significantly from having a thrombectomy. The lead investigator in the study expects treatment guidelines to change very soon following the positive results.
In fact, because of the superior outcomes, the study ended early.
“It’s an honor to participate in groundbreaking studies like SELECT2. Because of our participation, we’re able to bring positive, innovative treatment options to our community earlier than other centers,” said Nima Amin Aghaebrahim, MD, neurointerventionalist and primary stroke director of Baptist Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center.
“The results from this study will likely change the future of stroke treatment – and most importantly, will save lives,” added Ricardo Hanel, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and co-medical director of Baptist Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center. Both Dr. Aghaebrahim and Dr. Hanel represented Baptist Health in this landmark study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
How did this study work?
Patients were randomly assigned to two groups – 178 received thrombectomy and 194 received medical management only. Of the patients who received thrombectomy, almost 20% ended up having functional independence, compared to only 7% of those who received medical management only.
The New England Journal of Medicine – Trial of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Large Ischemic Strokes
Physicians providing care at Baptist Health hospitals are not employees or agents of the hospitals. Lyerly physicians are employed by Lyerly Baptist, Inc. Click here to download photos of Drs. Aghaebrahim and Hanel.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is a faith-based, mission-driven system in Northeast Florida comprised of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville; Baptist Medical Center Beaches; Baptist Medical Center Clay; Baptist Medical Center Nassau; Baptist Medical Center South and Wolfson Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Baptist Health is part of Coastal Community Health, a highly integrated regional hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. Baptist Health has the area’s only dedicated heart hospital; orthopedic institute; women’s services; neurological institute, including comprehensive neurosurgical services, a comprehensive stroke center and two primary stroke centers; a Bariatric Center of Excellence; a full range of psychology and psychiatry services; urgent care services; primary and specialty care physicians’ offices throughout Northeast Florida; and Baptist Home Health Care by BAYADA. The Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is a regional destination for multidisciplinary cancer care, which is clinically integrated with the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the internationally renowned cancer treatment and research institution in Houston. For more details, visit baptistjax.com.
