Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion via the Transbrachial Approach: Case Series

Mechanical thrombectomy has become a standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. In aged patients, it is difficult to guide the catheter via the transfemoral approach due to vessel tortuosity and aortic elongation. We report our preliminary clinical experience using the transbrachial approach. Among the 119 patients who underwent thrombectomy from April 2018 to December 2019, a total of 5 patients were treated via the transbrachial approach. Clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 4 out of 5 cases. There was 1 death due to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. One patient had a good outcome at discharge. There were no access-site complications associated with any of these cases. Transbrachial access for mechanical thrombectomy is feasible and can provide an alternative to the transfemoral approach.

Feasibility of the Transradial or the Transbrachial Approach in Various Neurointerventional Procedures

Purpose

The generally preferred vascular access for neurointerventional procedures is the transfemoral approach (TFA). In complicated cases such as patients with aortic diseases or tortuous vessels, transradial or transbrachial approaches (TRA or TBA) could be good alternatives. The purpose of this study is to review a single medical center experience using the alternative accesses.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 30 TRA and 10 TBA cases among 2,073 cases treated between January 2010 and July 2013. We reviewed and analyzed the frequency of TRA and TBA, the reason the operator had chosen the TRA or TBA, the category of the procedure, caliber of the sheath, the success rate, and the complications rates.

Results

The most common reason the non-TFA route was chosen was due to the patient's tortuous vascular system (n=24, 60%). The most common category of intervention was balloon angioplasty and/or stent placement (n=18, 45%). The largest caliber of the introducing sheath was 6 Fr in TRA and 7 Fr in TBA. Procedural success was achieved in 37 cases (success rate: 92.5%), and in three cases it failed. Six patients with complications were reported. Among them, four cases of minor complications (10%) occurred. There was no serious complication directly related to the access problem.

Conclusion

Both TRA and TBA can be good alternative access routes when TFA is not appropriate in various neurointervential procedures.