Contact Aspiration Thrombectomy Research Articles

Predictors of Emboli in Mechanical Thrombectomy for Anterior Circulation Stroke.

Emboli commonly occurs in mechanical thrombectomy (MT). The objective of this study was to analyze predicting factors of emboli after MT. Patients who underwent MT with successful reperfusion for anterior circulation occlusion were enrolled. Emboli included distal emboli at digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and unexpected embolic infarct on diffusion-weighted image (DWI) without distal emboli at DSA. Baseline characteristics, procedural details, angiographic outcomes, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate predictive factors for the occurrence of emboli. Of 601 patients, 149 (24.8%) patients had distal emboli at DSA, and 169 (28.1%) patients had unexpected embolic infarction on DWI even without distal emboli at DSA. A total of 318 (52.9%) patients were enrolled in the embolic group, and 283 (47.1%) patients were assigned to the non-embolic group. In multivariate analysis, larger microcatheter (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.12-1.94; p = 0.047), clot passage (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07-1.87; p = 0.041), use of balloon guide catheter (BGC) (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.92; p = 0.014), early ballooning of BGC (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50-0.90; p = 0.009), and longer stent retriever (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.90; p = 0.029) were associated with occurrence of emboli. MT with only a stent retriever, use of a larger microcatheter, and clot passage might increase the risk of emboli. In contrast, contact aspiration thrombectomy, use of BGC, early ballooning of BGC, and use of longer stent retrievers could reduce the chance of emboli.

Abstract Number ‐ 72: A Successful Emergent Endovascular Mechanical Thrombectomy in An Extensive Deep Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Introduction Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon variant of strokes, accounting for 0.5‐1% of all cases. Current guidelines recommend systemic anticoagulation as the first line therapy with endovascular approach reserved for those who fail to recanalize. We describe a 24‐year old female who presented with 3 days of headache and right sided weakness and was found to have extensive deep CVST with intracerebral hemorrhage and obstructive hydrocephalus. She underwent successful emergent intravenous thrombectomy with complete recanalization after clinical and radiological deterioration despite optimal systemic anticoagulation and bilateral external ventricular drains (EVDs). Methods The patient underwent thrombectomy under general anesthesia. Angiogram through the right radial artery was performed showing extensive thrombosis involving straight sinus, inferior sagittal sinus, vein of Galen and the internal cerebral vein. A right common femoral vein access was obtained and 80 cm Cook shuttle was placed and advanced to left internal jugular vein. Two passes mechanical thrombectomy using Y stent technique with the solitaire 6×40mm and Embotrap 6.5×45 mm stent retrievers and Zoom 008 with 071 aspiration catheters was performed with minimal recanalization of straight and inferior sinus. Attempted active aspiration and Power Pulse lytic thrombectomy through AngioJet Ultra Solent Omni Set 120cm but it was not long enough which was switched with 135cm length with successful access. This was followed by repeated attempts of aspirations with zoom 088 and 071 aspiration catheters resulting in near complete recanalization of straight, inferior sagittal sinuses, internal cerebral vein and vein of Galen. Results Two pass Simultaneous Mechanical Y‐Stent Retriever Thrombectomy andContact Aspiration Thrombectomy was performed with minimalrecanalization and reperfusion of straight sinus and inferiorsagittal sinus. This was followed by three pass Contact Aspiration Thrombectomy with large aspiration catheters and AngioJet Sets with near complete recanalization and drainage of straight sinus, inferior sagittal sinus, internal cerebral vein and vein of Galen. After 7 days of close ICU monitoring for malignant intracranial hypertension, patient was ultimately weaned off sedation and bilateral EVDs, extubated and transitioned to oral anticoagulation with significant clinical improvement and minimal residual neurological deficits. Conclusions Limited data is available on mechanical thrombectomies in deep CVST with hemorrhagic transformation. Our study describes a favorable outcome with combined stent retriever and aspiration thrombectomy approach. AngioJet 135cm Aspiration Catheter with Power Pulse lytic are also possible option to treat tough venous intracranial clots. Additional randomized controlled trials are needed to establish superiority between various approaches of mechanical venous thrombectomy in patients who have deep venous sinus thrombosis that fail medical management.

Acute embolic stroke with large-vessel occlusion: does contact aspiration thrombectomy show superiority?

To compare the efficacy between contact aspiration thrombectomy and stent retriever thrombectomy in the treatment of acute embolic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion. Between January 2019 and June 2020, data from consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients who underwent either endovascular contact aspiration or stent retriever thrombectomy were analysed at one institution. The primary outcome was the full 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between thrombectomy approach and functional outcomes. A total of 156 patients were analysed. Among them, 57 (36.5%) patients underwent primary aspiration thrombectomy, while 99 (63.5%) patients underwent primary stent retriever thrombectomy. The median procedure time was significantly shorter in patients treated with aspiration (37 versus 56 minutes; p<0.001). Compared with those of patients who underwent stent retriever thrombectomy, successful recanalisation rates and favourable functional outcome rates were higher in patients who underwent the aspiration approach (94.7% versus 77.8%, p=0.006; 49.1% versus 27.3%, p=0.006, respectively). Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that aspiration thrombectomy was independently associated with a good functional outcome (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.30, 95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.60, p<0.001). Among the specific patients with large vessel occlusion in acute embolic stroke, the use of aspiration thrombectomy compared with stent retriever thrombectomy resulted in a greater likelihood of favourable neurological outcomes; however, because of study limitations, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary and require further study to confirm these results.

Association of Regular Thrombus Surface Phenotype With Complete Recanalization in First-Line Contact Aspiration Thrombectomy for Basilar Artery Occlusion.

Objective: To assess whether angiographic thrombus surface phenotype has an impact on efficacy of contact aspiration (CA) thrombectomy in patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO).Methods: From January 2016 to December 2019, consecutive stroke patients with a BAO and first-line CA were analyzed in this retrospective study. We assessed baseline and imaging characteristics and treatment and clinical outcomes. We rated thrombus surface phenotype on pre-treatment digital subtraction angiography in a three-reader-consensus setting. Primary outcome was complete recanalization (modified treatment in cerebral ischemia [mTICI] 3 and arterial occlusive lesion [AOL] 3) after first-line CA without additionally stent retriever passes. Data analysis was stratified according to thrombus surface phenotype and complete first-line recanalization.Results: Seventy-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 74 years (IQR 64–80), 64% were male, and median baseline NIHSS score was 24 (IQR 7–32). Thirty patients had a regular and 16 patients had an irregular thrombus phenotype. Thrombus surface was not assessable in 32 patients. In patients with a regular phenotype, complete recanalization was more often achieved compared to irregular and non-ratable phenotypes (50 vs. 18.8% and 21.9%; p = 0.027). Patients with a regular phenotype [odds ratio [OR] 8.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9–35.8; p = 0.005], cardioembolic stroke (OR 12.1, 95% CI: 2.0–72.8; p = 0.007), and proximal end of the thrombus in the middle basilar artery segment (OR 5.2, 95% CI: 1.0–26.6; p = 0.046) were more likely to achieve complete recanalization after first-line CA without rescue therapy.Conclusion: The efficacy of CA may differ according to the angiographic thrombus surface phenotype in patients with BAO. A regular phenotype is associated with higher rates of complete recanalization in first-line CA. However, assessment of thrombus phenotype is frequently not feasible in BAO.

Blind exchange technique to facilitate large-bore aspiration catheter navigation during stroke thrombectomy

ObjectivesOptimizing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) techniques is an essential facet of our developing field. Herein, we describe the “Blind exchange” (BE) technique; an alternative fashion of efficiently performing stent-retriever (SR) coupled with contact aspiration thrombectomy (aspiration-retriever technique for stroke-ARTS). MethodsA prospectively collected MT database was reviewed from July 2018-February 2020. We included all consecutive patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusions in whom BE technique was performed. According to the response of the retriever, the decision to add an aspiration catheter (AC) for ARTS was made. The microcatheter was then fully retracted and the AC tracked over the deployed SR wire in a BE fashion. The primary outcome was technical success and safety measures included procedural-related complications. ResultsOne hundred nineteen patients were identified, mean age was 66.7 ± 15.8 years and 57(47.9%) were males. Twenty-six patients (21.8%) had intracranial ICA occlusion and 93(78.2%) had MCA-M1 segment occlusion. The median ASPECTS was 7(IQR;8–9), baseline NIHSS score was 18(IQR;14–21), and procedure time was 36(IQR;25–57) minutes. IV-tPA was used in 26(21.8%) of cases. Successful reperfusion (eTICI2b-3) was achieved in 100% of cases including full reperfusion (eTICI3) in 67(56.3%) of cases. The AC was successfully navigated into the target lesion without any complications in all cases. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 4.2% of patients. The rates of 90-day mRS0–2 and mortality were 44.3% and 12.5%, respectively. ConclusionBE is a safe and feasible alternative technique of navigating large bore AC into the intracranial vasculature while performing ARTS.

Usefulness of combination usage of balloon guide catheter with contact aspiration thrombectomy.

Angiographic outcomes of contact aspiration thrombectomy (CAT), a frontline thrombectomy strategy, can vary depending on balloon guide catheter (BGC) usage, stroke etiology, and occlusion location. The purpose of this study was to analyze conditional outcomes of CAT to determine which result in maximum angiographic benefits. Patients who received CAT for anterior circulation occlusive stroke between January 2017 and December 2018 were included. Angiographic and clinical outcomes were compared relative to BGC use, stroke etiology, and occlusion location. Multivariable analyses for first-pass reperfusion (FPR) and favorable clinical outcome were performed. Of 160 included patients, the rates of FPR, successful reperfusion after CAT, final successful reperfusion, and favorable clinical outcome were 43.1%, 58.1%, 81.9%, and 60.6%, respectively. BGC use was associated with a higher rate of FPR, successful reperfusion after CAT, a lower rate of distal embolization, and faster reperfusion. Based on subgroup analysis, BGC usage in ICA, MCA M1 occlusion, and cardioembolism were associated with higher FPR, successful reperfusion after CAT, and lower distal embolization. Faster reperfusion was achieved in ICA occlusions and cardioembolisms. BGC usage was an independent predictor of FPR. Favorable clinical outcome was associated with male gender, low initial NIHSS score, fast onset to reperfusion, and FPR. In CAT, BGC usage was associated with better angiographic outcomes, including higher FPR, successful reperfusion after CAT, prevention of distal embolization, and faster reperfusion, especially in proximal occlusions and cardioembolisms. These conditions may play a role in maximizing the benefits of CAT.

Clinical Result of Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Sofia Plus with Acute Ischemic Stroke Compared with the Stent Retriever

The Sofia catheter is a new large-bore aspiration catheter that allows easy access and good reperfusion. In this study, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of the Sofia catheter in comparison with stent retrievers as a contact aspiration thrombectomy (CAT) tool for large vessel occlusion. We enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular thrombectomy from April 2017 and April 2020 in our hospital. Patients wereretrospectively reviewed and divided into the stentretriever group (SR), the Sofia group, and all cases group. A total of 114 patients were treated during the study period, including 27 in the stent retriever group and 15 in the Sofia group. Higher rates of the first-pass effect (FPE) (37% vs. 47%, P= 0.12) and significantly higher modified FPE (44% vs. 67%, P= 0.001) were observed in patients with SR and Sofia, respectively. Functional independence (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) at 30 days after onset was observed in 30% versus 47% (P= 0.47) of SR and Sofia, respectively. The Sofia Plus is a large-bore aspiration catheter with high FPE and good accessibility. Use of this catheter resulted better angiographic outcome compared with the stent retriever, but there was no difference in clinical outcomes in this study. Further studies are needed to compare in new generation aspiration catheters.

Clot Meniscus Sign: An Angiographic Clue for Choosing between Stent Retriever and Contact Aspiration in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion.

The efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy methods may differ depending on the characteristics of the occlusion. The purpose of this study was to compare the recanalization efficacy and treatment outcome of a stent retriever versus contact aspiration in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion according to the angiographic characteristics of the occlusion. One hundred sixty-one patients with acute basilar artery occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed. A stent retriever was compared with contact aspiration thrombectomy according to the clot meniscus sign, defined as a meniscoid/tram-track-like sidewall contrast opacification of the thrombus. A propensity score matching analysis was performed. Clinical/angiographic characteristics and treatment and clinical outcomes were compared. Overall, a stent retriever (n = 118) and contact aspiration (n = 43) did not show significant differences in the successful recanalization (82.2% versus 86.0%) and good clinical outcome rates (32.2% versus 39.5%). In patients with the positive meniscus sign, contact aspiration was associated with shorter procedural time (44 versus 26 minutes, P = .018), a lower number of passes (2 versus 1, P = .041), a higher complete recanalization rate (58.8% versus 85.7%, P = .021), and a higher rate of first-pass effect (27.9% versus 53.6%, P = .031) compared with a stent retriever. After propensity score matching, contact aspiration was associated with higher complete recanalization rates (59.3% versus 85.7%, P = .033). No significant differences in the outcomes were noted between a stent retriever and contact aspiration in patients negative for the meniscus sign. The efficacy of the mechanical thrombectomy techniques may differ according to the angiographic characteristics of occlusion in patients with basilar artery occlusion. Contact aspiration may be more effective in terms of recanalization compared with a stent retriever in patients with the clot meniscus sign.

Endovascular Approach in Patients with Acute Complete Occlusion Due to Middle Cerebral Artery Dissection.

ObjectiveDissection of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is less common than dissection of vessels in the vertebrobasilar system or carotid artery. Acute complete occlusion related to MCA dissection is extremely rare. We report an endovascular approach in patients with acute complete occlusion due to MCA dissection. MethodsWe reviewed retrospectively the endovascular procedure and clinical results for acute-stroke patients who underwent recanalization from October 2014 through December 2018. Initial imaging findings and the endovascular procedure were analyzed for patients with acute complete occlusion due to MCA dissection. ResultsWe undertook first-line aspiration thrombectomy using a Penumbra catheter in 294 patients with acute occlusion of the M1 segment. Of these patients, seven were confirmed to have acute complete occlusion due to MCA dissection. All patients had angiographic findings of an intimal flap at the proximal occlusion site of the MCA. One patient complained of severe headache during microcatheter passage through the occluded lesion and died due to massive bleeding caused by rupture of the false lumen. The remaining patients underwent initial contact aspiration thrombectomy without microcatheter passage. After aspiration thrombectomy, six patients had delayed flow through the MCA. One patient underwent stenting of the MCA because of progressive symptoms. ConclusionAn intimal flap at the proximal portion of an occluded MCA can suggest the possibility of MCA dissection. Contrast aspiration thrombectomy without microcatheter passage can reduce the risk of false lumen rupture in cases of MCA dissection.

Mechanical Thrombectomy of Acutely Occluded Flow-Diverters - Neuroendovascular Surgical Technique Demonstration: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Flow-diversion with pipeline embolization devices (PED, Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) is widely used for embolization of complex intracranial aneurysms.1 In-stent thrombosis can be a dreadful complication after PED deployment. Intra-arterial glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator have been used in an attempt to achieve recanalization.2 However, large clots may not be effectively dissolved by pharmacological agents, thus requiring mechanical thrombectomy (MT).3 Our group recently published the first technical report on successful MT of acutely occluded PEDs in 2 patients.4 Here, we showcase the successful MT of a patient who sustained acute in-stent PED thrombosis. Informed written consent was obtained. In this case, we combined stentriever and contact aspiration thrombectomy techniques. We highlight important pitfalls and tips to prevent PED displacement, removal or vessel injury during endovascular manipulation. The most important consideration is to deploy the distal end of the stentriever inside the PED but also as distally as possible. Thus, correct apposition and alignment of the distal markers of both devices is performed under "native" unsubstracted fluoroscopic view (for better PED visualization) before MT. In this surgical video we describe the technique in detail.

Role of Balloon Guide Catheter in Modern Endovascular Thrombectomy.

Proximal flow control achieved with a balloon guide catheter (BGC) during endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke is reviewed in this article. In clinical practice, BGCs offer a multi-faceted approach for clot retrieval by creating proximal flow arrest, reducing embolic burden, and shortening procedure time. Evaluation of frontline thrombectomy procedures with BGCs revealed advantages of combined use over the conventional guide catheter (CGC), notably in the significant reduction of distal emboli to both the affected and previously unaffected territories. Recently, new measures of early and complete reperfusion at first thrombectomy pass have been identified as independent predictors of improved outcomes, which were consistently demonstrated with use of BGC as a safe and effective option to minimize number of passes during intervention. Prior randomized controlled trials reported the positive correlation between BGC-treated patients and a lower risk of mortality as well as shortened procedure time. While BGC use is more common in stent retriever-mediated mechanical thrombectomy, preliminary data has shown the potential benefit of device application during contact aspiration thrombectomy to achieve successful recanalization. However, the question of which major endovascular strategy reigns superior as a frontline remains to be answered. Along with clinical case assessments, BGC performance during in-vitro simulation was analyzed to further understand mechanisms for optimization of thrombectomy technique.

Effects of first pass recanalization on outcomes of contact aspiration thrombectomy

BackgroundFirst pass recanalization (FPR, defined as achieving a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) grade 2c/3 with a single pass of a thrombectomy device) effect has not yet been evaluated...

Front-line thrombectomy for acute large-vessel occlusion with underlying severe intracranial stenosis: stent retriever versus contact aspiration.

The optimal front-line thrombectomy choice for primary recanalization of a target artery remains unknown for patients with acute large-vessel occlusion (LVO) and an underlying intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). The authors aimed to compare procedural characteristics and outcomes between patients who received a stent-retriever thrombectomy (SRT) and patients who received a contact aspiration thrombectomy (CAT), as the front-line approach for treating LVO due to severe underlying ICAS. One hundred thirty patients who presented with acute LVO and underlying severe ICAS at the occlusion site were included. Procedural characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between patients treated with front-line SRT (n = 70) and those treated with front-line CAT (n = 60). The primary outcomes were the rate of switching to an alternative thrombectomy technique, time from groin puncture to initial reperfusion, and duration of the procedure. Initial reperfusion was defined as revealing the underlying culprit stenosis with an antegrade flow after thrombectomy. The rate of switching to an alternative thrombectomy after failure of the front-line technique was significantly higher in the CAT group than in the SRT group (40% vs 4.3%; OR 2.543, 95% CI 1.893-3.417, p < 0.001). The median time from puncture to initial reperfusion (17 vs 31 minutes, p < 0.001) and procedure duration (39 vs 75.5 minutes, p < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the SRT group than in the CAT group. In the binary logistic regression analysis, a longer time from puncture to initial reperfusion was an independent predictor of a 90-day poor (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6) functional outcome (per 1-minute increase; OR 1.029, 95% CI 1.008-1.050, p = 0.006). The authors' results suggest that SRT may be more effective than CAT for identifying underlying culprit stenosis and therefore considered the optimal front-line thrombectomy technique in acute stroke patients with LVO and severe underlying ICAS.

Endovascular and Clinical Outcomes of Vertebrobasilar Intracranial Atherosclerosis-Related Large Vessel Occlusion.

Background and Purpose: Endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute vertebrobasilar intracranial atherosclerosis-related large vessel occlusion (ICAS-LVO) and its outcomes are not well known. We aimed to evaluate endovascular and clinical outcomes of vertebrobasilar ICAS-LVO patients who underwent EVT.Methods: Consecutive acute stroke patients who underwent EVT for vertebrobasilar LVO were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were assigned to the ICAS (+) or the ICAS (–) group based on angiographical findings. Procedural details and clinical outcomes were compared between the ICAS (+) and ICAS (–) groups.Results: This study included 77 patients with acute vertebrobasilar LVO who underwent EVT. Among the study subjects, 24 (31.2%) had an ICAS-LVO. Recanalization was achieved in 19 patients in the ICAS (+) group (79.2%), which was comparable with the ICAS (–) group (84.9%; p = 0.529). However, recanalization using conventional endovascular modalities (stent retriever thrombectomy, contact aspiration thrombectomy, or intra-arterial urokinase infusion) was less successful in the ICAS (+) group (36.8%) than the ICAS (–) group (100.0%; p < 0.001). All the remaining patients in the ICAS (+) group required specific rescue treatments appropriate for ICAS, including balloon angioplasty, stenting, or intra-arterial glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor infusion to obtain a successful recanalization. Procedural time was not significantly longer in the ICAS (+) group. The rates of favorable outcomes (37.5% vs. 41.5%; p = 0.740), death, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were not significantly different between the groups.Conclusion: ICAS-LVO was common in patients who underwent EVT for acute vertebrobasilar LVO. Although conventional modalities were often ineffective for vertebrobasilar ICAS-LVO, a comparable recanalization rate could be obtained with ICAS-specific modalities. Recanalization rate and procedural time were comparable, and clinical outcomes did not differ between patients with or without ICAS-LVO.

Need for rescue treatment and its implication: stent retriever versus contact aspiration thrombectomy

BackgroudThe need for rescue treatment (RT) may differ depending on first-line modality (stent retriever (SR) or contact aspiration (CA)) in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). We aimed to investigate whether the type...

Effect of balloon guide catheter utilization on contact aspiration thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVEThe role of the balloon guide catheter (BGC) has not been evaluated in contact aspiration thrombectomy (CAT) for acute stroke. Here, the authors aimed to test whether the BGC was associated with recanalization success and good functional outcome in CAT.METHODSAll patients who had undergone CAT as the first-line treatment for anterior circulation intracranial large vessel occlusion were retrospectively identified from prospectively maintained registries for six stroke centers. The patients were dichotomized into BGC utilization and nonutilization groups. Clinical findings, procedural details, and recanalization success rates were compared between the two groups. Whether the BGC was associated with recanalization success and functional outcome was assessed.RESULTSA total of 429 patients (mean age 68.4 ± 11.4 years; M/F ratio 215:214) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A BGC was used in 45.2% of patients. The overall recanalization and good outcome rates were 80.2% and 52.0%, respectively. Compared to the non-BGC group, the BGC group had a significantly reduced number of CAT passes (2.6 ± 1.6 vs 3.4 ± 1.5), shorter puncture-to-recanalization time (56 ± 27 vs 64 ± 35 minutes), lower need for the additional use of thrombolytics (1.0% vs 8.1%), and less embolization to a distal or different site (0.5% vs 3.4%). The BGC group showed significantly higher final (89.2% vs 72.8%) and first-pass (24.2% vs 8.1%) recanalization success rates. After adjustment for potentially associated factors, BGC utilization remained independently associated with recanalization (OR 4.171, 95% CI 1.523-11.420) and good functional outcome (OR 2.103, 95% CI 1.225-3.612).CONCLUSIONSBGC utilization significantly increased the final and first-pass recanalization rates and remained independently associated with recanalization success and good functional outcome.

Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study.

BackgroundDespite the recent acceptance of thrombectomy as the standard of care in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke, the benefits of thrombectomy remain uncertain for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of thrombectomy and to identify predictors of outcomes in a large cohort of patients with acute BAO.Methods and ResultsThis study included 212 consecutive patients with acute BAO who underwent either stent‐retriever or contact aspiration thrombectomy as the first‐line approach between January 2011 and August 2017 at 3 stroke centers. Clinical and radiologic data were prospectively collected and stored in a database at each center. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was performed to assess the association between each characteristic and 90‐day modified Rankin scale scores. Reperfusion was successful in 91.5% (194/212) of patients; 44.8% (95/212) of patients achieved 90‐day modified Rankin scale 0 to 2. The symptomatic hemorrhage rate was 1.9% (4/212) and mortality was 16% (34/212). In a multivariable ordinal regression, younger age, lower National Institute of Health stroke scale on admission, and absence of diabetes mellitus and parenchymal hematoma were significantly associated with a favorable shift in the overall distribution of 90‐day modified Rankin scale scores. Treatment outcomes were similar between patients who received stent‐retriever thrombectomy and contact aspiration thrombectomy as the first‐line technique.ConclusionsEndovascular thrombectomy was effective and safe for treating patients with acute BAO. Age, the baseline National Institute of Health stroke scale, diabetes mellitus, and parenchymal hematoma were associated with better outcomes. This study showed no superiority of the stent‐retriever over the aspiration thrombectomy for treating acute BAO.

Contact Aspiration with the New ARC Catheter for Thrombectomy of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Single-Center Results.

Contact aspiration has gained growing acceptance in endovascular stroke therapy. The safety and efficacy data of the novel ARC catheter (Medtronic, Irvine, California, USA) used for intracranial thrombectomy have been poorly evaluated thus far. We report our preliminary results with the ARC with regard to angiographic reperfusion, duration of thrombectomy, safety, and clinical outcome at 90 days. In a single-center series including 20 large-vessel occlusion stroke patients who were collected prospectively, we retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy profiles of the ARC intracranial catheter for first-line contact aspiration. Successful reperfusion was defined as modified Thrombolysis in Cerebrovascular Infarction (mTICI) scores 2b-3 at final angiogram and functional independence as modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 at 90 days. Median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 15, and previous intravenous thrombolysis was administered in 12 patients (60%). Proximal occlusion was located in the anterior circulation in 16 patients (80%). Primary aspiration alone was successful in 10 of 15 patients (67%) within a median time of 26minutes. Overall successful reperfusion was achieved in 16 patients (80%) within a median time of 31 minutes. There were no device-related events. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 2.5 at discharge. Six of 17patients (35%) were independent, and 6 (35%) died at 90days. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in5%. In our initial experience, the ARC appears safe and efficient for contact aspiration thrombectomy in large-vessel stroke therapy. However, improvement of its distal navigability needs further development to improve the success of aspiration alone, and large prospective studies are warranted.