Thrombectomy
What is Thrombectomy?
Thrombectomy is a procedure to remove a thrombus (blood clot) from a blood vessel, either surgically or via catheter-based techniques, to restore blood flow and prevent complications like tissue damage or organ failure. It’s commonly used for conditions like acute ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE). In India, thrombectomy is performed in vascular surgery, interventional radiology, or neurology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need Thrombectomy?
Thrombectomy is indicated for:
- Clot-related conditions:
- Acute ischemic stroke: Clot in brain artery (e.g., middle cerebral artery; 40–50% of cases).
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Clot in leg veins (20–30%; links to your venous ulcer surgery query).
- Pulmonary embolism (PE): Clot in lung arteries (10–20%).
- Acute limb ischemia: Clot in peripheral arteries (10–15%; links to your vascular trauma repair query).
- Symptoms: Stroke (weakness, speech loss), leg swelling/pain (DVT), shortness of breath (PE), cold/pale limb (ischemia).
- Prevalence in India: Stroke incidence 119–145 per 100,000; DVT in 1–2% of hospitalized patients (2023 data).
- Other indications:
- Failed medical therapy: Thrombolytics (e.g., alteplase) ineffective or contraindicated.
- Large clots: High risk of complications (e.g., post-thrombotic syndrome in DVT).
- Types:
- Endovascular thrombectomy: Catheter-based (e.g., for stroke, PE; 70–80% of cases).
- Surgical thrombectomy: Open surgery (e.g., for limb ischemia, DVT; 20–30%).
- Associated treatments:
- Pre-op: Anticoagulation (e.g., heparin), imaging (e.g., CT angiography).
- Post-op: Anticoagulation (e.g., warfarin), compression therapy (DVT).
- Timing:
- Performed in adults (average age 40–70 years); urgent within 6–24 hours for stroke (best outcomes); within days for DVT/PE.
The procedure aims to restore blood flow, prevent tissue damage, and reduce complications, with high success rates when performed timely.
Why Do Thrombectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh:
- Procedure Type: Endovascular (stroke/PE, ₹2–5 lakh); surgical (DVT/ischemia, ₹1–3 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in private hospitals (Apollo, Fortis: ₹2–5 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Devices: Stent retriever/aspiration device (₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh, endovascular).
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹10,000–₹30,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), imaging (₹10,000–₹20,000), medications (₹5,000–₹20,000).
- Insurance: Often covered (emergency); confirm with your provider.
Thrombectomy Procedure
- Before Procedure Evaluation:
- Assessment:
- Imaging: CT angiography (stroke, PE) or Doppler ultrasound (DVT, limb ischemia) to locate clot.
- Blood tests: Clotting profile (PT/INR), kidney function (contrast dye safety), stroke severity (NIHSS score).
- Neurological exam: For stroke (e.g., motor deficits, speech).
- Preparation: IV heparin to prevent clot growth, fasting 4–6 hours (if sedation/general anesthesia), consent for risks.
- Consent: Risks, including bleeding, are explained.
- Assessment:
- Procedure Technique:
- Endovascular Thrombectomy (Acute Ischemic Stroke):
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation (or general anesthesia), lasting 1–2 hours.
- Process:
- Access: Catheter inserted via femoral artery (groin).
- Navigation: Guided to brain artery (e.g., middle cerebral artery) using fluoroscopy.
- Clot removal: Stent retriever (e.g., Solitaire) or aspiration device (e.g., Penumbra) used to extract clot.
- Confirmation: Angiogram ensures vessel patency; catheter removed.
- Closure: Access site sealed (manual pressure or closure device).
- Surgical Thrombectomy (DVT):
- Open surgery under general anesthesia, 1–3 hours; incision over vein (e.g., femoral), clot removed with Fogarty catheter, vein repaired.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Fluoroscopy: Guides catheter in endovascular approach.
- Stent retriever: Captures clot (stroke).
- Fogarty catheter: Removes clot in surgical approach.
- Endovascular Thrombectomy (Acute Ischemic Stroke):
- After Procedure:
- Hospital stay: 2–5 days (stroke); 1–3 days (DVT/PE).
- Care: Monitor neurological status (stroke) or limb perfusion (DVT/ischemia); start anticoagulation (e.g., heparin, then warfarin).
- Pain management: Mild pain (groin) for 1–2 days (endovascular); moderate (incision) for 3–5 days (surgical); managed with painkillers (e.g., paracetamol).
- Instructions: Avoid strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks; compression stockings (DVT); monitor for bleeding or neurological changes.
Recovery After Thrombectomy
- Hospital Stay: 2–5 days (stroke); 1–3 days (DVT/PE).
- Post-Procedure Care:
- Pain: Mild (endovascular) for 1–2 days; moderate (surgical) for 3–5 days; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Activity: Avoid strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks; light walking encouraged (day 1–2) to prevent new clots.
- Symptoms: Stroke recovery varies (days to months, depending on deficit); DVT swelling improves in 1–2 weeks; limb ischemia perfusion returns immediately.
- Medications: Anticoagulation (e.g., warfarin, 3–6 months or lifelong for DVT/PE); stroke patients may need antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin).
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week (check wounds), 1 month, and every 3–6 months (monitor recurrence).
- Doppler/CT: At 1–3 months; 80–90% vessel patency at 1 year (successful thrombectomy).
Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks (endovascular) or 2–4 weeks (surgical); full recovery takes 2–4 weeks (endovascular) or 4–6 weeks (surgical). Success rate: 80–90% vessel patency (stroke); 70–80% symptom relief (DVT); 5–10% re-occlusion at 1 year.
Risks and Complications
- Procedure Risks:
- Bleeding (2–5%): At access site (endovascular) or incision (surgical); may need transfusion.
- Vessel injury (1–3%): Dissection or perforation; may need stenting.
- Stroke (1–2%, non-stroke cases): Emboli during procedure (links to your embolectomy query).
- Post-Procedure:
- Re-occlusion (5–10%): New clot; may need repeat procedure or thrombolytics.
- Infection (1–2%): At access site or incision; treated with antibiotics.
- Contrast reaction (1–2%): Kidney injury (endovascular); higher risk in CKD (links to your kidney transplant query).
- Long-Term:
- Post-thrombotic syndrome (20–30%, DVT): Chronic swelling/pain; managed with compression.
- Neurological deficits (10–20%, stroke): If delayed intervention; needs rehab.
Report fever, severe pain, swelling, or neurological changes promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for thrombectomy?
Blood clots causing stroke, DVT, PE, or limb ischemia, often due to underlying conditions (e.g., atrial fibrillation, immobility).
Can I avoid thrombectomy?
Yes, if mild: Anticoagulation or thrombolytics (30–50% success); thrombectomy needed for large clots or failed medical therapy.
Is thrombectomy painful?
Mild pain (endovascular) for 1–2 days; moderate (surgical) for 3–5 days; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
How soon can I resume normal activities?
Light activities: 3–5 days (endovascular); full recovery: 2–4 weeks (endovascular) or 4–6 weeks (surgical).
Is thrombectomy covered by insurance in India?
Often covered (emergency); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, swelling, or neurological changes.
How effective is thrombectomy?
80–90% vessel patency (stroke); 70–80% symptom relief (DVT); 5–10% re-occlusion at 1 year.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Take anticoagulation, use compression stockings (DVT), avoid immobility, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Thrombectomy is a critical procedure for removing blood clots, restoring blood flow, and preventing severe complications, with high success rates when performed timely. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach treatment confidently. Consult a vascular surgeon, interventional radiologist, or neurologist for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Thrombectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ahmedabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ajmer |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Aligarh |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Allahabad |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Amritsar |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Aurangabad |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bangalore |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Bareilly |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Belgaum |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bhopal |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bikaner |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Chandigarh |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Chennai |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dehradun |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Delhi |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Durgapur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Faridabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Guntur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Gurgaon |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Guwahati |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Gwalior |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Hyderabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Indore |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Jabalpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jaipur |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Jamshedpur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Jodhpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Kanpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Kochi |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kolkata |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kollam |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Lucknow |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Ludhiana |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Madurai |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Mangalore |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Meerut |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Moradabad |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Mumbai |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Mysore |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Nagpur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Nashik |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Noida |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Patna |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Pune |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Raipur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Rajkot |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Ranchi |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Surat |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Thane |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Vadodara |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Varanasi |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.