Difference between thrombolysis and thrombectomy, Thrombolysis, Thrombectomy.

 Here’s the difference between thrombolysis and thrombectomy in simple terms:

1. Thrombolysis 🩸💊

• What: Giving a drug (like Alteplase – tPA) to dissolve the clot.

• How: Through IV injection or catheter directly into the vessel.

• When used: Best if given early (stroke within 4.5 hrs, heart attack within 12 hrs).

• Advantage: Non-surgical, quick.

• Disadvantage: Risk of bleeding (esp. brain hemorrhage).

2. Thrombectomy 🩸🛠️

• What: Physically removing the clot using a catheter or device.

• How: Interventional radiology or cath-lab procedure (e.g., mechanical thrombectomy in stroke, PCI with stent in heart attack).

• When used:

  • Stroke: Large vessel occlusion (up to 6–24 hrs in selected cases).

  • Heart attack: PCI (angioplasty + stent) preferred over thrombolysis.

• Advantage: Directly clears big clots, effective when thrombolysis fails.

• Disadvantage: Needs special setup & trained experts, more costly.

👉 In short:

• Thrombolysis = “Clot-dissolving medicine”

• Thrombectomy = “Clot-removing procedure”