Highly impactful Amsterdam stroke innovation now reaches even more patients

Ten years ago, a groundbreaking medical innovation made it possible to remove a blood clot from stroke patients using a catheter procedure. The health benefits for patients after this procedure are often much greater than with other treatments. Thanks to the collaboration with Amsterdam UMC, this treatment is now also being performed at the Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep in Alkmaar.

Jonathan Coutinho, neurovascular neurologist at Amsterdam UMC and former AmSIA winner, explains how regional collaboration developed.

Intra-arterial thrombectomy, or IAT, is the procedure used to remove a clot from an artery in the brain. The operator (usually an interventional radiologist) inserts a thin tube, a catheter, through the groin into the artery up to the clot. The clot is then pulled out or suctioned away.

Alkmaar and Amsterdam

IAT is a complex procedure that requires significant expertise and resources from a hospital. Initially, IAT was only performed in the Amsterdam UMC in the North Holland region. Since 2020, Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep in Alkmaar has also been treating patients with this method. Jonathan Coutinho from Amsterdam UMC explains how this came about:

“The number of IAT procedures increased in the region. We received many referrals from Alkmaar and surrounding areas, requiring these patients to be quickly transported to the UMC. Centralizing a complex procedure like IAT is generally beneficial for patient care. NWZ was a suitable candidate due to its strong team of neurologists and radiologists, the large patient population north of Alkmaar, and the long travel time to Amsterdam. Every minute counts in the stroke world.”

The main benefit for the patient

“Patients with a stroke can, for example, suddenly read the newspaper again or avoid needing to go to a nursing home after an IAT. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible for everyone, but most patients experience significant health improvements,” says Coutinho.

Further regional collaboration

In addition to the collaboration between Amsterdam UMC and NWZ, there is broader regional cooperation with surrounding hospitals in North Holland and Flevoland. Knowledge is exchanged, and procedures are optimized to help patients as quickly as possible.