Stroke patients in UK 'missing out on treatment for brain clots'

Thousands of patients not being offered procedure that can dramatically reduce disability after a stroke, research suggests

Thousands of stroke patients in the UK may be missing out on a treatment that involves physically unplugging blood vessels in the brain, research suggests.

Scientists estimate that about 9,000 patients with blood clots in the brain - a tenth of the total - could benefit from mechanical thrombectomy (MT) each year. Currently, fewer than 600 patients a year undergo the procedure.