156 Stenting of Intracranial Stenosis With a Fibrin-heparin Coated Stent Multicentre Experience

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusions (LVO). However, in up to 30% MT may not result in successful recanalization due to an underlying stenosis or clot recalcitrant to retrieval. Bail-out stenting has been reported to be a treatment option to achieve permanent recanalization. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data from 16 stroke centres. Patients treated with the CREDO heal Stent were divided into two groups: symptomatic high-grade intracranial stenosis (sICAD group) and persisting LVO due to underlying stenosis after at least one mechanical thrombectomy attempt (Rescue Stenting group). Primary endpoints were the improvement of stenosis grade and the rate of successful recanalization after stenting defined as mTICI = 2b for the sICAD and the Rescue Stenting group respectively. Favourable neurological outcome was defined by modified Rankin Score (mRS) at 90 days. RESULTS: 121 patients were treated from 2021-2023 with the CREDO heal Stent. Rescue stenting and sICAD treatment was performed in 82 and 39 cases respectively. Overall, a final TICI = 2b score was achieved in 94.5%. In 14% periprocedural complications occurred were in-stent thrombosis accounted for 6.3% (rescue stenting group). The mean stenosis grade in the sICAD group was 90% before and 15% after PTA and stenting. On follow-up (n = 27) restenosis was observed in 2.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The CREDO® heal stent offers a new treatment option for patients with sICAD or with persistent occlusion during thrombectomy procedures. The final mTICI sore is in accordance with uncoated devices. The rate of restenosis is low compared to previous trials. Its effectiveness with regard to long-term ischemic complications has to be evaluated in the prospective ReCHRUT trial.