Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO)
Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO) Experts
Our team of cerebrovascular and stroke experts are highly experienced and highly trained in diagnosing and treating ELVO, which occurs when there is sudden blockage (acute occlusion) of a major artery supplying the brain, causing the immediate onset of stroke symptoms.
The occlusion must be removed immediately to restore blood flow to the brain and prevent ongoing, irreversible brain damage. The procedure used to restore blood flow in these cases is known as a mechanical thrombectomy.
At Stony Brook Medicine, we perform over 150 thrombectomy procedures per year and the number continues to increase. We are also participating in multiple ongoing thrombectomy clinical trials.
It’s crucial to pay close attention to your body and act promptly if something feels off. When you or a loved one suspect you’re experiencing a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Remember the acronym BE FAST:
- B: Balance or coordination issues
- E: Eyesight becomes blurred or reduced
- F: Face drooping
- A: Arm (and leg) weakness
- S: Speech difficulty
- T: Time to call emergency services
We know that when a brain artery is occluded, minutes matter — the saying is “Time is Brain.” Upon a diagnosis of ELVO, the patient is taken immediately to our Angiography Suite for a mechanical thrombectomy. Our highly skilled team clears the arterial blockage and blood flow to the brain is restored. If blood flow is restored early after symptoms first appear, a person can often make a fast and immediate recovery from these stroke symptoms.
