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BACKGROUND: The Advanced Neurovascular Access (ANA) thrombectomy system is a novel stroke thrombectomy device comprising a self-expanding funnel designed to reduce clot fragmentation by locally restricting flow while becoming as wide as the lodging artery. Once deployed, the ANA device allows distal aspiration combined with a stent retriever to mobilize the clot into the funnel where it remains copped during extraction. We investigated the safety and efficacy of ANA catheter system. METHODS: SOLONDA (Solitaire in Combination With the ANA Catheter System as Manufactured by Anaconda) was a prospective, open, single-arm, multicenter trial with blinded assessment of the primary outcome by an independent core lab. Patients with anterior circulation vessel occlusion admitted within 8 hours from symptom onset were eligible. The primary end point was successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b-3) with ≤3 passes of the ANA device in combination with stent retriever, before the use of rescue therapy in the intention to treat population. Primary predefined analysis was noninferiority as compared to the performance end point observed in HERMES (High Effective Reperfusion Using Multiple Endovascular Devices). RESULTS: After enrollment of 74 patients, an interim analysis was conducted, and the trial Steering Committee decided to terminate recruitment due to safety and performance objectives were reached. Mean age was 71.6 (SD 8.9) years, 46.6% women and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on admission 14 (interquartile range, 10-19). Successful reperfusion within 3 passes before rescue therapy was achieved in 60/72 (83.3% [95% CI, 74.7%-91.9%]) with a rate of complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2c-3) of 60% (95% CI, 48.4%-71.1%; 43/72 patients). After noninferiority was confirmed (P

Introduction: Although stentrievers (SRs) have been a mainstay of mechanical thrombectomy (MT), and current guidelines recommend the use of SRs in the treatment of large vessel occlusion stroke (LVO), there is a paucity of studies in the literature comparing SRs directly against each other in terms of mechanical and functional properties. Timely access to endovascular therapy and the ability to restore intracranial flow in a safe, efficient, and efficacious manner have been critical to the success of MT. This study aimed to investigate the impact of contemporary SR characteristics, including model, brand, size, and length, on the first-pass effect (FPE) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Consecutive patients with M1 occlusion treated with a single SR+BGC were recruited from the ROSSETTI registry. The primary outcome was the FPE that was defined as modified (mFPE) or true (tFPE) for the achievement of modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) grades 2b-3 or 3 after a single device pass, respectively. We compared patients who achieved mFPE with those who achieved tFPE according to SR characteristics. Results: We included 610 patients (52.3% female and 47.7% male, mean age 75.1 ± 13.62 years). mFPE was achieved in 357 patients (58.5%), whereas tFPE was achieved in 264 (43.3%). There was no significant association between SR characteristics and mFPE or tFPE. Specifically, the SR size did not show a statistically significant relationship with improvement in FPE. Similarly, the length of the SR did not yield significant differences in the mFPE and tFPE, even when the data were grouped. Conclusions: Our data indicate that contemporary SR-mediated thrombectomy characteristics, including model, brand, size, and length, do not significantly affect the FPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Flow diverters have emerged in recent years as a safe and effective treatment for intracranial aneurysms, with expanding indications. The Derivo embolization device (DED) is a second-generation flow diverter with a surface finish that may reduce thrombogenicity. We report our multicenter experience evaluating its safety and efficacy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients treated with the DED in eight centers in Spain between 2016 and 2020. Demographics, clinical data, procedural complications, morbidity and aneurysm occlusion rates were collected. Results A total of 209 patients with 250 aneurysms were treated (77.5% women). The majority of aneurysms were located in the internal carotid artery (86.8%) and most (69.2%) were small (<10 mm) with a median maximum diameter of 5.85 mm and median neck size of 4 mm. DED deployment was successful in all cases, despite two malfunctioning devices (1%). Major complications occurred in nine patients (4.3%), while mild neurologic clinical events were registered in 23 (11%); four patients died (1.9%). A total of 194 aneurysms had an angiographic follow-up at 6 months and showed complete aneurysm occlusion in 75% of cases. Twelve-month follow-up was available for 112 of the treated aneurysms, with a total occlusion rate of 83%. Conclusion The DED is a second-generation surface-modified flow diverter that presents an option for treatment of intracranial aneurysms with comparable safety and efficacy to other available flow diverter devices. Nonetheless, risks are not negligible, and must be balanced against the natural history risk of cerebral aneurysms, considering the tendency to widen indications for treatment of smaller and less complex lesions in day-to-day use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To demonstrate, by a cost-effectiveness analysis, the efficiency of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) versus medical management (MM) in patients with a low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) from the RESCUE Study. Methods A cost-effectiveness model was designed to project both direct medical costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of MT versus MM in eight European countries (Spain, UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands). Our model was created based on previously published health-economic data in those countries. Procedure costs, acute, mid-term, and long-term care costs were projected based on expected modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores as reported in the RESCUE-Japan LIMIT trial. Results MT was found to be a cost-effective option in eight different countries across Europe (Spain, Italy, UK, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden). with a lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratio varying from US$2 875 to US$11 202/QALY depending on the country. A cost-effectiveness acceptability curve showed 100% acceptability of MT at the willingness to pay (WTP) of US$40 000 for the eight countries. Conclusions MT is efficient versus MM alone for patients with low ASPECTS in eight countries across Europe. Patients with a large ischemic core could be treated with MT because it is both clinically beneficial and economically sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Balloon guide catheter (BGC) in stent retriever based thrombectomy (BGC +SR) for patients with large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS) improves outcomes. It is conceivable that the addition of a large bore distal access catheter (DAC) to BGC +SR leads to higher efficacy. We aimed to investigate whether the combined BGC +DAC+SR approach improves angiographic and clinical outcomes compared with BGC +SR alone for thrombectomy in anterior circulation LVOS. Methods Consecutive patients with anterior circulation LVOS from June 2019 to November 2020 were recruited from the ROSSETTI registry. Demographic, clinical, angiographic, and outcome data were compared between patients treated with BGC+SR alone versus BGC+DAC+SR. The primary outcome was first pass effect (FPE) rate, defined as near complete/complete revascularization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2c-3) after single device pass. Results We included 401 patients (BGC+SR alone, 273 (66.6%) patients). Patients treated with BGC+SR alone were older (median age 79 (IQR 68-85) vs 73.5 (65-82) years; p=0.033) and had shorter procedural times (puncture to revascularization 24 (14-46) vs 37 (24.5-63.5) min, p<0.001) than the BGC+DAC+SR group. Both approaches had a similar FPE rate (52% in BGC+SR alone vs 46.9% in BGC+DAC+SR, p=0.337). Although the BGC+SR alone group showed higher rates for final successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b (86.8% vs 74.2%, p=0.002) and excellent reperfusion, mTICI ≥2 c (76.2% vs 55.5%, p<0.001)), there were no significant differences in 24 hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score or rates of good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2) at 3 months across these techniques. Conclusions Our data showed that addition of distal intracranial aspiration catheters to BGC+SR based thrombectomy in patients with acute anterior circulation LVO did not provide higher rates of FPE or improved clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goyal et al described occlusions in M2/3, A2/3 and P2/3 as medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs); the only available controlled data of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in MeVOs is limited to the middle cerebral artery M2 segment, suggesting that MT may be effective and safe with high functional independence and recanalization rates. 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 (DAC), with the removal of both as a unit when performing the thrombectomy pass; however, so far the low-profile (0.035 inch distal inner diameter) DACs were longer (160 cm) than conventional 0.017 inch microcatheters for MeVOs. We present a case of a combined approach MT in MeVO with the use of the new 167 cm long NeuroSlider 17 (Acandis, Pforzheim, Germany) 0.0165 inch microcatheter and 3MAX (Penumbra, Alameda, CA) through the SAVE technique--the MeVO SAVE technique. (video 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Efficient recanalization of occluded cerebral arteries is crucial in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Double stent retrievers have shown the potential to enhance the rates of recanalization on the first pass. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the double stent retriever technique and the predictors of achieving first-pass effect in patients with acute ischemic stroke., Methods: This prospective multicenter study involved 209 patients from 16 comprehensive stroke centers in Spain. Patients with occlusions in the anterior circulation were treated using the Aperio Hybrid double stent retriever. The study examined various deployment techniques, including simultaneous and sequential deployment and stent configurations, comparing the Y-shaped and parallel configurations., Results: The double stent retriever technique achieved a first-pass effect in 72.7% of cases and a final successful recanalization rate of 99.5%. The Y-shaped configuration was significantly associated with higher recanalization rates on the first pass (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.18 to 5.68, P=0.02). Procedural complications were mild to moderate in 6.7% and severe in 1.5% of cases, with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurring in 3.3% of patients. At 3 months follow-up, 57.2% of patients achieved a good clinical outcome, with a mortality rate of 15.1%., Conclusion: The findings support the efficacy of the double stent retriever technique, particularly the Y-shaped configuration, in achieving high recanalization rates on the first pass with an acceptable safety profile. This technique may offer clinical benefits for future acute ischemic stroke treatment protocols., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is part of the standard of care for stroke treatment, and improving its efficacy is one of the main objectives of clinical investigation. Of importance is placement of the distal end of balloon-guided catheters (BGC). We aim to determine if this influences outcomes., Methods: We analyzed data from the ASSIST Registry, an international, multicenter prospective study of 1492 patients. We divided patients treated with BGC according to the placement of the BGC: low cervical (LCG (the lower 2/3 of cervical internal carotid artery (ICA)) or high cervical (HCG (upper 1/3 of cervical ICA, petro-lacerum or higher)). We analyzed characteristics and outcomes overall and stratified on the primary MT technique: Stent-Retriever only (SR Classic), Combined use of aspiration catheter and SR (Combined), and Direct Aspiration (ADAPT)., Results: Our study included 704 subjects -323 in the low cervical and 381 in the high cervical groups. Statistical differences were seen in the proportion of females and tandem lesions (both higher for LCG). Placing the BGC in the high cervical segment is associated with better recanalization rates (expanded treatment in cerebral infarction (eTICI) score of 2c-3) at the end of the procedure (P<0.0001) and shorter procedures (P=0.0005). After stratifying on the three primary techniques (SR Classic, Combined, and ADAPT), placing the BGC in the high segment is associated with a better first-pass effect (FPE), less distal emboli, and better clinical outcomes in the SR Classic technique., Conclusions: Placing the distal end of the BGC at the high cervical segment or higher is associated with better recanalization., Competing Interests: Competing interests: Competing Interests: M. Moreu received research grants to the research fund of the institution (from Angionautix, Balt, Medtronic), receives payment or honoraria for lectures from Balt, Medtronic, Stryker, Johnson & Johnson, Accandis, iVascular and Inspire MD, works as a consultant for Stryker, Accandis, iVascular and Inspire MD, he holds stocks from Medtronic and Basecamp Vascular. A. Spiotta reports consulting (paid to self) for RapidAI, Terumo, and Penumbra; Research support (paid to institution) from Penumbra, RapidAI, Microvention, Stryker, and Medtronic. L. Price is an employee of Stryker and holds Stryker stock.Dr. Liebeskind reports having received grant funding from NINDS and consulting fees as an imaging core laboratory from Cerenovus, Genentech, Medtronic, Stryker and Rapid Medical. M. Möhlenbruch received research grants from Acandis, Balt, Medtronic, Microvention, Phenox, Stryker* (*industry payments are made to the research fund of the institution), receives payment or honoraria for lectures from Balt, Medtronic, Stryker* (*industry payments are made to the research fund of the institution). R. Gupta serves as Principal Investigator (PI) for the ASSIST Registry (Stryker), PI for the RECCLAIM II Study (Zoll), Clinical Events Committee (CEC) for the MIND Trial (Penumbra), Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) Membrane Study (Cerenovus), ELEVATE Study (Medtronic) consultant and stock options for Vesalio, Rapid Medical. All other authors report no disclosures., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)