MERCI Retriever

Merci L5

MERCI Retriever is a medical device designed for use in the interventional radiology and neurology fields, specifically for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. It is a mechanical embolectomy device intended to remove or break up blood clots in the cerebral arteries that cause strokes, restoring blood flow to the affected areas of the brain.

Overview

The MERCI Retriever is a tiny, corkscrew-shaped device that is delivered to the site of the clot through a catheter. The catheter is navigated through the vascular system from a point of entry, often the femoral artery in the groin, to the affected cerebral artery in the brain. Once the MERCI Retriever reaches the clot, it is deployed to ensnare and remove the clot, thereby re-establishing blood flow. This procedure is known as mechanical thrombectomy.

Indications

The MERCI Retriever is indicated for use in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke, who are ineligible for, or have not responded to, thrombolytic therapy with drugs such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Thrombolytic therapy is often the first line of treatment for stroke, but it must be administered within a narrow time window from the onset of symptoms, and not all patients are eligible for such treatment.

Procedure

The procedure to remove a clot using the MERCI Retriever involves several steps:

1. Accessing the vascular system through the femoral artery.
2. Navigating a microcatheter through the vascular system to the site of the clot in the brain.
3. Advancing the MERCI Retriever through the microcatheter until it reaches the clot.
4. Deploying the device to engage and ensnare the clot.
5. Carefully withdrawing the device, along with the clot, out of the body.

This procedure requires a high level of skill and is performed by specialists in interventional radiology or neurology.

Benefits and Risks

The MERCI Retriever offers a significant benefit for patients with acute ischemic stroke by potentially reducing the severity of the stroke and improving outcomes. However, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved. These may include damage to the blood vessels, bleeding, and the possibility of dislodging the clot and causing it to move to another part of the brain or body.

Development and Approval

The MERCI Retriever was developed by Concentric Medical, Inc., and was the first device of its kind to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Conclusion

The MERCI Retriever represents a significant advancement in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, offering hope to patients who are not candidates for thrombolytic therapy. Its development underscores the importance of innovation in medical technology and the ongoing need for effective stroke treatments.