Aspiration Catheter Reach to Thrombus (ART) Sign in Combined Technique for Mechanical Thrombectomy: Impact for First-Pass Complete Reperfusion

Intraprocedural Angiographic Signs Observed During Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

In the real-world practice of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the analysis of intraprocedural angiographic signs (IPASs) still challenges neurointerventionists. This review provides insights into the significance of these subtle changes for predicting underlying etiology, technical feasibility, and patient prognosis, thus promoting the potential real-time application of these signs.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid Medline/Embase, and Cochrane. The search focused on studies published between January 1995 and August 2020 that reported findings related to intraprocedural angiographic manifestations in endovascular recanalization therapy for AIS.

RESULTS

We identified 12 IPASs in 22 studies involving 1,683 patients. The IPASs were assigned into 3 subsets according to their clinical meanings.

CONCLUSION

The systematic analysis of IPAS in clinical trials and practice will lead to a better understanding of treatment effects, responses, and mechanisms during EVT. Studies of larger cohorts using more robust statistical methods are needed.

Fast Stent Retrieval during Mechanical Thrombectomy Improves Recanalization in Patients with the Negative Susceptibility Vessel Sign

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In acute ischemic stroke, the negative susceptibility vessel sign on T2*-weighted images traditionally highlights fibrin-rich clots, which are particularly challenging to remove. In vitro, fast stent retrieval improves fibrin-rich clot extraction. We aimed to evaluate whether the speed of stent retrieval influences the recanalization and clinical outcome of patients presenting with the negative susceptibility vessel sign.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were identified from a registry of patients with ischemic stroke receiving mechanical thrombectomy between January 2016 and January 2020. Inclusion criteria were the following: 1) acute ischemic stroke caused by an isolated occlusion of the anterior circulation involving the MCA (Internal Carotid Artery-L, M1, M2) within 8 hours of symptom onset; 2) a negative susceptibility vessel sign on prethrombectomy T2*-weighted images; and 3) treatment with a combined technique (stent retriever + contact aspiration). Patients were dichotomized according to retrieval speed (fast versus slow). The primary outcome was the first-pass recanalization rate.

RESULTS

Of 68 patients who met inclusion criteria, 31 (45.6%) were treated with fast retrieval. Patients receiving a fast retrieval had greater odds of first-pass complete (relative risk and 95% confidence interval [RR 95% CI], 4.30 [1.80-10.24]), near-complete (RR 95% CI, 3.24 [1.57-6.68]), and successful (RR 95% CI, 2.60 [1.53-4.43]) recanalization as well as greater odds of final complete (RR 95% CI, 4.18 [1.93-9.04]), near-complete (RR 95% CI, 2.75 [1.55-4.85]), and successful (RR 95% CI, 1.52 [1.14-2.03]) recanalization. No significant statistical differences in procedure-related serious adverse events, distal embolization, or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were reported. No differences were noted in terms of functional independence (RR 95% CI, 1.01 [0.53-1.93]) and all-cause mortality (RR 95% CI, 0.90 [0.35-2.30]) at 90 days.

CONCLUSIONS

A fast stent retrieval during mechanical thrombectomy is safe and improves the retrieval of clots with the negative susceptibility vessel sign.

Effectiveness and Technical Considerations of Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm Stent Retriever in Mechanical Thrombectomy with Solumbra Technique

OBJECTIVE

The Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent retriever contains radiopaque markers with a long length. We evaluated the effect of Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent retriever in Solumbra technique thrombectomy, and compared it with shorter Solitaire stent retrievers.

METHODS

A total of 70 patients who underwent Solumbra technique thrombectomy with equal diameter (4 mm) and different length (40 vs. 20 mm) Solitaire stent retrievers were divided into two groups : the Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent (4×40) group and the Solitaire FR 4×20 mm stent or Solitaire Platinum 4×20 mm stent (4×20) group. The clinical outcomes, Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, the first pass reperfusion status, and complications were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive factors for reperfusion and complete reperfusion from the first pass.

RESULTS

Higher first-pass reperfusion and complete reperfusion were achieved in the 4×40 group (68.0% and 48.0%) than in the 4×20 group (46.7% and 33.3%; p=0.004 and 0.007, respectively). In multivariate analysis, radiopaque device and longer stent retriever were correlated with first-pass reperfusion (p=0.014 and 0.008, respectively) and first-pass complete reperfusion (p=0.022 and 0.012, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the usefulness of the Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent retriever, which led to higher firstpass reperfusion and complete reperfusion rates than the Solitaire FR 4×20 mm stent or the Solitaire Platinum 4×20 mm stent, especially in Solumbra technique thrombectomy.