Stent Retriever Assisted Vacuum-locked Extraction Research Articles

Partial (SAVE) versus Complete (Solumbra) Stent Retriever Retraction Technique for Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Randomized In Vitro Study.

Mechanical thrombectomy has become a first-line treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Several techniques combining stent retrievers and distal aspiration catheters have been described. We aimed to characterize the efficacy of 2 commonly used techniques according to clot characteristics. Soft (mean stiffness = 95.77 [SD, 5.80] kPa) or stiff (mean stiffness = 205.63 [SD, 6.70] kPa) clots (3 × 10 mm and 2 × 10 mm, respectively) were embolized to the distal M1 segment of the MCA in an in vitro model. The technique was randomly allocated (1:1): stent retriever assisted vacuum-locked extraction (SAVE) versus complete retraction (Solumbra). The primary end point was the percentage of first-pass recanalization. Secondary end points were periprocedural distal embolization measures. A total of 130 mechanical thrombectomies were performed (50 for soft clots and 15 for stiff clots per arm). Overall, the rate of first-pass recanalizaton was 35% with Solumbra and 15% with SAVE (P < .01). For stiff clots, the first-pass recanalizaton was equal for both methods (27%; P = 1.00). With soft clots, the first-pass recanalizaton was higher with Solumbra (38%) than with SAVE (12%; P < .01). When we used soft clots, the maximum embolus size (mean, 1.19 [SD, 0.9] mm versus 2.16 [SD, 1.48] mm; P < .01) and total area of emboli (mean, 1.82 [SD, 2.73] versus 3.34 [SD, 3.2]; P = .01) were also lower with Solumbra than with SAVE. Clot characteristics may influence the efficacy of the thrombectomy technique. In occlusions caused by soft clots, complete retrieval into the distal aspiration catheters achieved higher rates of first-pass recanalizaton and lower embolization.

Intracranial Carotid Occlusions

PurposeSpecific decisions made by neurointerventionists are often lost behind the data of large-scale trials, and many of these studies have taken place before the development of new techniques and devices. This study compares the stent-retriever assisted vacuum-locked extraction (SAVE) technique with a direct aspiration first pass (ADAPT), as well as the use of a balloon guide catheter (BGC), in intracranial internal carotid artery (IC-ICA) occlusions.MethodsObservational and retrospective study from an Italian hospital, including patients who underwent thrombectomy for IC-ICA occlusion between 1 January 2019 and 31 March 2021.ResultsOut of 91 IC-ICA occlusions, the ADAPT was the first choice in 20 (22%) and the SAVE in 71 (78%). A BGC was used in 32 (35%) cases, always in conjunction with the SAVE technique. The use of SAVE technique without BGC was associated with the least risk of distal embolization (DE) in the territory occluded (44% vs. 75% when ADAPT technique was used; p = 0.03) and achieved first pass effect (FPE) more frequently (51% vs. 25%, p = 0.09). When the SAVE technique was used, BGC (BGC-SAVE) compared to no BGC (NoBGC-SAVE) was associated with a tendency for less DE (31% vs. 44%, p = 0.3), more FPE (63% vs. 51%, p = 0.5), the same median number of passes (1, p = 0.8) and similar groin-to-recanalization times (36.5 vs. 35.5 min, p = 0.5), none of which reached statistical significance.ConclusionOur findings support the use of SAVE technique for IC-ICA occlusions; the added benefit of BGC compared to long sheaths was not remarkable in this sample.

Dual SAVE technique for mechanical thrombectomy rescue on MCA bifurcation clots

The Stent retriever Assisted Vacuum-locked Extraction (SAVE) technique in mechanical thrombectomy consists of the simultaneous use of a stent retriever and a distal aspiration catheter, with the removal of both...

Intracranial mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusions in the posterior circulation using SAVE

BackgroundMechanical thrombectomy (MT) using stent retriever assisted vacuum-locked extraction (SAVE) is a promising method for anterior circulation strokes. We present our experience with SAVE for large vessel occlusions (LVO) of the posterior circulation.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 66 consecutive MT patients suffering from LVO of the posterior circulation. Primary endpoints were first-pass and overall complete/near complete reperfusion, defined as a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of 2c and 3. Secondary endpoints contained number of passes, time interval from groin puncture to reperfusion and rate of postinterventional symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).ResultsMedian age was 75 years (interquartile range (IQR) 54–81 years). Baseline median National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) was 13 (IQR 8–21). Fifty-five (83%) patients had LVO of the basilar artery and 11 (17%) of the posterior cerebral artery. Eighteen (27%) patients were treated with SAVE and 21 (32%) with aspiration only. First pass mTICI2c or 3 and overall mTICI2c or 3 were documented in 11/18 (61%) and 14/18 (78%) with SAVE and in 4/21 (19%) and 13/21 (33%) with aspiration only. Median attempt was 1 (IQR 1–2) with SAVE and 2 (IQR 1–4) with aspiration (p = 0.0249). Median groin to reperfusion time did not differ significantly between groups. The rate of sICH was 5% without any complications in the SAVE cohort.ConclusionMechanical thrombectomy of posterior large vessel occlusions with SAVE is feasible, safe, and effective with high rates of near-complete and complete reperfusion.

Stent-retriever assisted vacuum-locked extraction (SAVE) versus a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) for acute stroke: data from the real-world

BackgroundEmbolectomy is the standard of care in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO). Aim of this study was to compare two techniques: A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique (ADAPT) and Stent-retriever Assisted Vacuum-locked Extraction (SAVE) stratified by the occluded vessel.MethodsOne hundred seventy-one patients (71 male) treated between January 2014 and September 2017 with AIS due to LVO of the anterior circulation (55 carotid T, 94 M1, 22 M2) were included. Treatment techniques were divided into two categories: ADAPT and SAVE. Primary endpoints were successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b), near-perfect reperfusion (mTICI ≥2c) and groin puncture to reperfusion time. Secondary endpoints were the number of device-passes, first-pass reperfusion, the frequency of emboli to new territory (ENT), clinical outcome at 90 days, and the frequency of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Analysis was performed on an intention to treat basis.ResultsOverall, SAVE resulted in significant higher rates of successful reperfusion (mTICI≥2b) compared to ADAPT (93.5% vs 75.0%; p = 0.006). After stratification for the occluded vessel only the carotid T remained significant with higher rates of near-perfect reperfusion (mTICI≥2c) (55.2% vs 15.4%; p = 0.025), while for successful reperfusion a trend remained (93.1% vs 65.4%; p = 0.10). Groin to reperfusion times were not significantly different. Secondary analysis revealed higher rates of first-pass successful reperfusion (59.6% vs 33.3%; p = 0.019), higher rates of first-pass near-perfect reperfusion in the carotid T (35.4% vs 16.7%; p = 0.038) and a lower number of device-passes overall (median 1 IQR 1–2 vs 2 IQR 2–3; p < 0.001) and in the carotid T (median 2 IQR 1.3 vs 3 IQR 2–5; p < 0.001) for SAVE. Clinical outcome and safety parameters were comparable between groups.ConclusionsEmbolectomy using SAVE appears superior to ADAPT, especially for carotid T occlusions with regard to reperfusion success.

Stent retriever placement in embolectomy: the choice of the post-bifurcational trunk influences the first-pass reperfusion result in M1 occlusions

BackgroundEmbolectomy using Stent retriever Assisted Vacuum-locked Extraction (SAVE) is effective in intracranial large vessel occlusion. Which post-bifurcational trunk should be chosen for distal stent retriever placement in M1 occlusions is,...

The SAVE Technique : Large-Scale Experience for Treatment of Intracranial Large Vessel Occlusions.

The stent retriever assisted vacuum-locked extraction (SAVE) technique was introduced as an effective thrombectomy method in stroke patients suffering from intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO). This article presents our multicenter, large-scale experience with SAVE. The study involved aretrospective core team analysis of 200 patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy using the SAVE technique due to intracranial LVO at 4German centers. Primary endpoints were first-pass and overall complete/near complete reperfusion, defined as amodified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of 2c and 3. Secondary endpoints were the number of passes, time from groin puncture to reperfusion, embolization to new territories (ENT), postinterventional symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and favorable outcome at discharge, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2. The median age was 78years (interquartile range IQR68-85). Median National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) at admission was 16 (IQR12-20). Occlusions sites were: internal carotid artery (ICA-T) in 39/200 (19.5%), M1 in 126/200 (63%), M2 in 30/200 (15%), and others in 5/200 (2.5%) cases. The primary endpoints were documented in 114/200 (57% first pass mTICI 2c or 3) and 154/200 (77% overall mTICI 2c or 3) patients, respectively. The overall median time from groin puncture to reperfusion was 34 min (IQR25-52) with amedian of 1 (IQR1-2) attempts. An ENT was observed in 3patients (1.5%) and the rate of sICH was 2.6%. The rate of successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥ 2b) on final angiograms was 95%. At discharge, 73/200 (36.5%) patients revealed afavorable outcome. Mechanical thrombectomy using the SAVE technique seems to be effective, fast and safe. First-line use of SAVE leads to high rates of complete and near complete reperfusion.

Maximizing First-Pass Complete Reperfusion with SAVE.

Endovascular techniques for treatment of large vessel occlusions (LVO) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have advanced in recent years. We report amulticenter experience using acombined aspiration and stent retriever technique for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We retrospectively analyzed 32 consecutive MT patients using anovel, combined approach of Stent retriever Assisted Vacuum-locked Extraction (SAVE) by 3operators at 3stroke centers. Primary endpoint was successful first-pass reperfusion with a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score of 3. Secondary endpoints were number of passes, time from groin puncture to reperfusion, embolization to new territories (ENT), postinterventional symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and clinical outcome at discharge. First-pass mTICI3 reperfusion was achieved in 23 out of 32patients (72%) with amean groin puncture to reperfusion time of 36.0 min± 15.8 and mTICI3 was accomplished in 25 out of 32cases (78%) with amaximum of 3attempts. Successful reperfusion (mTICI≥ 2b) was achieved in all patients (100%) with amean time from groin puncture to reperfusion of 44.5 min± 25.8 and an average of 1.2± 0.7attempts. The rate of ENT was 0% and 1 patient with sICH after MT died on postoperative day 4. At discharge, the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 4 (range 0-17) and favorable neurological outcome by the modified Rankin score (mRS≤ 2) was achieved in 19 out of 32patients (59%). SAVE is fast and appears to be very effective in terms of first-pass complete reperfusion in patients with LVO.