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Clot retrieval: A modern marvel for thousands of Kiwis 15 One of thosewas Ian Ramsay, whowas rushed by ambulance early on a Saturdaymorning to Auckland City Hospital where he underwent clot-retrieval. His wife, Lorraine, says familymembers feared theworst. However, after some hours Ian woke from the procedure, recognised the family and was progressively able to talkwith themandmove about. After just two nights hewas sent home. Over time, hewas able to resume his old life, although a littlemore slowly than before: reading, following the news, walking to his local cafe, and playing chess regularly with his teenage grandson. “Itwas like amiracle,” says Lorraine. “We’dnever heard of this procedure.Whilewaiting for the clot retrieval teamto arrive, thedoctor described it in detail. He said thiswas thebiggest advancement inmedicine in years. After that, I had total confidence that this procedurewouldwork. Ianwas going tobe all right – and hewas.” DrShilpanPatel, anAucklandCityHospital neurology registrarwho’scaredfordozens of clot retrieval patients, saysnoteveryone hassuchagreatexperience. Regardlessof the outcome, though, 99%of familiesaregladthat their lovedoneshavehadtheprocedure. “Theymightbestunnedoroverwhelmed, but they’restill grateful thatwetried.” WhatdoesShilpanhimself thinkof clot retrieval? “I think it is incredible,” hesays. “Wedo400of theseper year andapproximatelyhalfof themhaveagoodoutcome. Before 2015, thesepatientsmayhavehad thrombolysis–amedication tobreak down thebloodclot –which,mostof the time,wasunsuccessful.Manywould’vebeen condemnedtobeingdisabledordying. Clot retrieval isanextraordinaryprocedure, andweare very lucky thatwecanoffer it topatients.” In the past year alone, hundreds of New Zealanders’ lives have been saved by clot retrieval. One in five went home as healthy as they were before the stroke occurred – and for them, the procedure seemed miraculous. “It was a miracle. I’d never heard of this procedure before. Now I find I’m telling strangers on the street about it.” Lorraine, wife of stroke patient who received clot retrieval in September 2024 Dr Shilpan Patel