Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
thrombectomy
Pronunciation: throm-BEK-toh-mee
Surgical or catheter-based removal of blood clot from vessels.
Full Definition
A procedure to remove thrombus (blood clot) from arteries or veins, performed either surgically with balloon catheters or through minimally invasive endovascular techniques. Modern thrombectomy often involves mechanical devices, aspiration catheters, or pharmacomechanical methods. Documentation must specify the approach, devices used, and degree of clot retrieval achieved, with particular attention to timing in acute presentations.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from thrombolysis (dissolution) and embolectomy (removal of embolic material).
In Context
- "Mechanical thrombectomy achieved complete recanalization of the superficial femoral artery." — Procedure report
- "The patient required emergent thrombectomy for acute limb ischemia." — Emergency documentation
Also known as
clot removal
embolectomy
Don't confuse with
thrombolysis
endarterectomy