During the procedure, doctors guide a catheter through an artery to the affected blood vessel in the brain. The clot is then suctioned out or removed using a specialised instrument. Speed is of the essence, as the risk of permanent brain damage increases with every minute that passes without an adequate supply of oxygen. Care is provided by a team of just five to six specialist doctors at the Institute of Neuroradiology, led by Professor Karl-Titus Hoffmann. Despite limited staffing resources, the treatment has been available round the clock without interruption since 2009. However, training and retaining qualified specialists in the long term remains a challenge. Collaboration with other hospitals therefore plays an important role. Within the certified INNSA network, the UKL cooperates with hospitals in Borna, Altenburg and Altscherbitz, amongst others. Imaging data is exchanged and jointly assessed via teleradiology links. Patients requiring a specialised procedure can then be transferred to Leipzig as needed. This care model demonstrates the importance of regional hospital networks and digital diagnostics for stroke care. Whilst complex procedures are centralised at specialist centres, the affiliated hospitals enable rapid initial diagnosis and coordinated follow-up treatment.
Press release from the “Leipzig University Hospital” dated 26 October 2026