About Embolectomy
Key Highlights
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Restores critical blood flow to limbs or organs, preventing tissue death.Can be performed as a minimally invasive (catheter-based) procedure, reducing recovery time.Often a life-saving or limb-saving emergency intervention.Helps prevent long-term complications like chronic pain, disability, or organ failure.Performed by specialized vascular surgeons with expertise in circulatory system disorders.
Who is this surgery for?
- Acute limb ischemia (sudden loss of blood flow to an arm or leg).
- Pulmonary embolism (a clot in the lungs).
- Mesenteric ischemia (a clot blocking blood flow to the intestines).
- Renal artery embolism (a clot in the kidney's blood supply).
- Cerebral embolism (a clot causing an ischemic stroke, though treatment often differs).
- Arterial embolism from conditions like atrial fibrillation or recent heart attack.
How to prepare
- Emergency imaging (CT angiography, ultrasound) to locate the clot.
- Blood tests to assess clotting function and overall health.
- Administration of intravenous fluids and possibly blood thinners (heparin).
- Briefing on the procedure, risks, and anesthesia (general or regional).
- In non-emergency cases, cessation of certain medications like blood thinners as advised.
- Fasting for several hours before the procedure if anesthesia is required.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding or hematoma at the surgical or catheter insertion site.
- Infection.
- Damage to the blood vessel or surrounding nerves.
- Re-formation of a clot (re-embolization or thrombosis).
- Reperfusion injury (damage from the sudden return of blood flow).
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye used in imaging.
- Kidney injury from contrast dye.
- Rarely, stroke, heart attack, or death.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial monitoring in a recovery area or ICU for vital signs and circulation.
- Pain management with prescribed medications.
- Early mobilization as tolerated to prevent new clots.
- Careful monitoring of the surgical site for signs of infection or bleeding.
- Initiation or continuation of long-term anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication.
- Follow-up imaging and vascular surgeon appointments to ensure clot resolution and vessel health.
- Lifestyle modifications like smoking cessation, diet, and exercise to reduce future risk.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering embolectomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with vascular surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform embolectomy. MediFyr helps you compare vascular surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for embolectomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Neha Chopra, a 58-year-old retired school...
Neha Chopra, a 58-year-old retired school principal, was an active gardener and devoted grandmother. Her life changed when she developed sudden, excruciating pain and coldness in her right leg while tending to her roses. Rushed to the emergency room, she was diagnosed with an acute arterial embolism, a blood clot had traveled from her heart (where she had an undiagnosed atrial fibrillation) and lodged in her femoral artery, cutting off blood flow. Her vascular surgeon, Dr. Mehta, explained that without immediate intervention, she risked losing her leg. Terrified but trusting, Neha consented to an emergency embolectomy. The procedure, performed under local anesthesia, involved a small incision in her groin to thread a catheter and remove the clot. Waking up to the feeling of warmth returning to her foot was an immense relief. Her recovery involved several days in the hospital on blood thinners and careful monitoring, followed by weeks of gentle physiotherapy to rebuild strength. The emotional journey was profound: from the sheer panic of potentially losing her mobility and independence, to overwhelming gratitude for the saved limb and a second chance. She now manages her atrial fibrillation diligently and cherishes every walk in her garden with her grandchildren, her perspective on life permanently deepened.
Vascular surgeons for Embolectomy
Explore experienced vascular surgeons who regularly perform embolectomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Interventional Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 17 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 30 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 15 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 25 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Vascular surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai