"Clot removal may be beneficial up to  hours following stroke in carefully selected patients but every hour delayed after symptoms begin may be associated with more disability according to preliminary research presented at the American Stroke Associations International Stroke Conference  a world premier meeting dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease for researchers and clinicians. The international DAWN trial previously demonstrated that patients with a small area of irreversible brain damage and a large area of brain at jeopardy of being lost if the clot remains are more likely to recover with minimal disability if the clot is removed up to  hours after symptoms begin or were noticed. It is already wellestablished that the benefit of clot removal declines each hour during the first  hours after symptoms are detected. In the current analysis of treatment between  and  hours after symptoms were observed or after the person was last seen to be well researchers found  each hour delay reduces the chance of recovery with minimal or no disability by  percent and  treatment remains beneficial through  hours with patients who had their clots removed being . percent more likely to have minimal or no disability  days later but the overall effect of treatment declines with time. The current results demonstrate the importance of prompt imaging and treatment of patients with clotcaused stroke even in those who wake up having experienced a stroke or who for other reasons are not identified in the first few hours after the onset of symptoms.  Stryker Neuroendovascular funded the DAWN Trial. Raul G. Nogueira M.D. Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia. Presentation location Room  Additional Resources   Available downloadable Broll animation and images to this news tip are on the right column of the tip link httpsnewsroom.heart.orgnewspromptclotgrabbingtreatmentproducesbetterstrokeoutcomespreviewdcccab   For more news at AHA International Stroke Conference  follow us on Twitter HeartNews httpstwitter.comheartnewslangen ISC. Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals foundations and corporations including pharmaceutical device manufacturers and other companies also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http About the American Stroke Association The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke  the No.  cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallasbased association officially launched in  as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved call STROKE or visit StrokeAssociation.org httpStrokeAssociation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter."