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 in contact aspiration thrombectomy (CAT). We evaluated FPR effect on clinical outcomes and FPR predictors in CAT.MethodsAll consecutive patients who underwent frontline CAT for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion with recanalization (mTICI 2b–3) were identified from registries at six stroke centers. The patients were dichotomized into FPR and non-FPR groups. Clinical features and outcomes were compared between the groups. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether FPR was independently associated with clinical outcomes and to identify predictors of FPR.ResultsOf the 429 patients who underwent frontline CAT, recanalization was successful in 344 patients (80.2%; mean age 68.7±11.0 years; M:F ratio 179:165). The FPR group had a higher rate of good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) than the non-FPR group. Furthermore, the good outcome rate was higher in the FPR group than in patients who achieved mTICI 2c/3 with multiple passes or rescue treatment. FPR (OR 2.587; 95% CI 1.237 to 5.413) remained independently associated with good outcomes, in addition to age, baseline National Institute Health Stroke Scale, and coronary artery disease. The use of a balloon guide catheter (OR 3.071; 95% CI 1.699 to 5.550) was the only predictor of FPR.ConclusionsPatients in the FPR group had better clinical outcomes than the non-FPR group in CAT. FPR was independently associated with a good outcome. The use of a balloon guide catheter was the only predictor of FPR.

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

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-014696 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 979-983 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Dong-Hun Kang ◽

Jin Woo Kim ◽

Byung Moon Kim ◽

Ji Hoe Heo ◽

Hyo Suk Nam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stent Retriever ◽

First Line ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Aspiration Thrombectomy ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Good Outcome ◽

Rescue Treatment ◽

First Pass

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 of first-line modality in EVT was associated with the need for RT.MethodsWe identified all patients who underwent EVT for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion from prospectively maintained registries of 17 stroke centers. Patients were dichotomized into SR-first and CA-first. RT involved switching to the other device, balloon angioplasty, permanent stenting, thrombolytics, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist, or any combination of these. We compared clinical characteristics, procedural details, and final recanalization rate between the two groups and assessed whether first-line modality type was associated with RT requirement and if this affected clinical outcome.ResultsA total of 955 patients underwent EVT using either SR-first (n=526) or CA-first (n=429). No difference occurred in the final recanalization rate between SR-first (82.1%) and CA-first (80.2%). However, recanalization with the first-line modality alone and first-pass recanalization rates were significantly higher in SR-first than in CA-first. CA-first had more device passes and higher RT rate. The RT group had significantly longer puncture-to-recanalization time (93±48 min versus 53±28 min). After adjustment, CA-first remained associated with RT (OR, 1.367; 95% CI, 1.019 to 1.834). RT was negatively associated with good outcome (OR, 0.597; 95% CI, 0.410 to 0.870).ConclusionCA was associated with requiring RT, while recanalization with first-line modality alone and first-pass recanalization rates were higher with SR. RT was negatively associated with good outcome.

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Effect of balloon guide catheter utilization on contact aspiration thrombectomy

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2018.6.jns181045 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 131 (5) ◽

pp. 1494-1500 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dong-Hun Kang ◽

Byung Moon Kim ◽

Ji Hoe Heo ◽

Hyo Suk Nam ◽

Young Dae Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Success Rates ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Aspiration Thrombectomy ◽

Good Functional Outcome ◽

Guide Catheter ◽

First Pass

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.

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EXPRESS: Stent Retriever Alone vs. Aspiration and Stent-Retriever Combination in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: A Matched Analysis

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/17474930211019204 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174749302110192

Author(s):

Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽

Diogo C. Haussen ◽

Leonardo Pisani ◽

Alhamza Al-Bayati ◽

Aaron Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

First Line ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Guide Catheter ◽

First Pass ◽

Combined Technique

Background Three randomized clinical trials have reported similar safety and efficacy for contact aspiration (CA) and Stent-retriever (SR) thrombectomy. Aim We aimed to determine whether the Combined Technique (SR+CA) was superior to SR alone as first-line thrombectomy strategy in a patient cohort where balloon-guide catheter was universally used. Methods A prospectively maintained mechanical thrombectomy database from January 2018-December 2019 was reviewed. Patients were included if they had anterior circulation proximal occlusion ischemic stroke (intracranial ICA or MCA-M1/M2 segments) and underwent SR alone thrombectomy or SR+CA as first-line therapy. The primary outcome was the first-pass effect (FPE) (mTICI2c-3). Secondary outcomes included modified FPE (mTICI2b-3), successful reperfusion (mTICI2b-3) prior to and after any rescue strategy, and 90-day functional independence (mRS â¤2). Safety outcomes included rate of parenchymal hematoma (PH) type-2 and 90-day mortality. Sensitivity analyses were performed after dividing the overall cohort according to first-line modality into two matched groups. Results A total of 420 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 64.4 years; median baseline NIHSS 16[11-21]). As compared to first-line SR alone, first-line SR+CA resulted in similar rates of FPE (53% vs. 51%,aOR 1.122, 95%CI[0.745-1.691],p=0.58), mFPE (63% vs. 60.4%,aOR1.250, 95%CI[0.782-2.00],p=0.35), final successful reperfusion (97.6% vs. 98%,p=0.75) and higher chances of successful reperfusion prior to any rescue strategy (81.8% vs. 72.5%,aOR 2.033, 95%CI[1.209-3.419],p=0.007). Functional outcome and safety measures were comparable between both groups. Likewise, the matched analysis (148 patient-pairs) demonstrated comparable results for all clinical and angiographic outcomes except for significantly higher rates of successful reperfusion prior to any rescue strategies with the first-line SR+CA treatment (81.8% vs. 73.6%,aOR 1.881, 95%CI[1.039-3.405],p=0.037). Conclusions Our findings reinforce the findings of ASTER-2 trial in that the first-line thrombectomy with a Combined Technique did not result in increased rates of first-pass reperfusion or better clinical outcomes. However, addition of contact aspiration after initial SR failure might be beneficial in achieving earlier reperfusion.

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Abstract WP502: Predictors Of First Pass Reperfusion In Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp502 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mahmoud Mohammaden ◽

Leonardo Pisani ◽

Catarina Perry da Camara ◽

Mehdi Bousalma ◽

Alhamza Al bayati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Performance Metric ◽

First Pass ◽

Thrombectomy Device

Introduction: The speed and completeness of endovascular reperfusion strongly correlate with functional outcomes. First-Pass Reperfusion (FPR) has been recently established as a critical procedural performance metric for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aimed to study the predictors of FPR and its effect on the outcome Methods: Review of a prospectively collected database of MT patients with large vessel occlusion strokes (LVOS) from 05/2012-11/2018. Patients were included in the analysis if they had an anterior circulation LVOS that was successfully reperfused (mTICI 2b-3). FPR was defined as the achievement of mTICI 2c-3 after a single pass with any thrombectomy device. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of FPR. Results: A total of 563 patients qualified for the analysis (mean age, 64.4±12.3 years, baseline NIHSS 16.2). FPR was achieved in 202 (35.9%) patients. On univariate analysis, FPR was significantly associated with higher ASPECTS (8.1 vs. 7.8, p=0.008), higher usage of balloon guide catheters (BGC) (88.1% vs. 75.3%, p<0.001), lower use of general anesthesia (9.5% vs. 18.2%, p= 0.006), and shorter procedure duration (mean, 45.5 vs. 79.9 min, p <0.001 and 90.5%). Both BGC (OR, 2.26; 95%CI [1.32-3.87], p=0.003) and ASPECTS (OR, 1.15; 95% CI [1.03-1.28], p= 0.01) were independent predictors of FPE on multivariate regression analysis. Conclusion: Higher baseline ASPECTS score and the use of BGC are strong predictors of First-Pass Reperfusion in mechanical thrombectomy.

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Hyperdense vessel sign as a potential guide for the choice of stent retriever versus contact aspiration as first-line thrombectomy strategy

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-016005 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2020-016005 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽

Diogo C Haussen ◽

Catarina Perry da Camara ◽

Leonardo Pisani ◽

Marta Olive Gadea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stent Retriever ◽

Imaging Biomarker ◽

First Line ◽

Primary Analysis ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

First Line Therapy ◽

Guide Catheter ◽

First Pass ◽

Secondary Analyses

BackgroundThe first-pass effect (FPE) has emerged as a key metric for efficacy in mechanical thrombectomy (MT). The hyperdense vessel sign (HDVS) on non-contrast head CT (NCCT) indicates a higher clot content of red blood cells.ObjectiveTo assess whether the HDVS could serve as an imaging biomarker for guiding first-line device selection in MT.MethodsA prospective MT database was reviewed for consecutive patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke who underwent thrombectomy with stent retriever (SR) or contact aspiration (CA) as first-line therapy between January 2012 and November 2018. Pretreatment NCCT scans were evaluated for the presence of HDVS. The primary outcome was FPE (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2c/3). The primary analysis was the interaction between HDVS and thrombectomy modality on FPE. Secondary analyses aimed to evaluate the predictors of FPE.ResultsA total of 779 patients qualified for the analysis. HDVS and FPE were reported in 473 (60.7%) and 286 (36.7%) patients, respectively. The presence of HDVS significantly modified the effect of thrombectomy modality on FPE (p=0.01), with patients with HDVS having a significantly higher rate of FPE with a SR (41.3% vs 22.2%, p=0.001; adjusted OR 2.11 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.70), p=0.009) and non-HDVS patients having a numerically better response to CA (41.4% vs 33.9%, p=0.28; adjusted OR 0.58 (95% CI 0.311 to 1.084), p=0.088). Age (OR 1.01 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.02), p=0.04) and balloon guide catheter (OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.24 to 3.47), p=0.005) were independent predictors of FPE in the overall population.ConclusionOur data suggest that patients with HDVS may have a better response to SRs than CA for the FPE. Larger confirmatory prospective studies are warranted.

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Addition of intracranial aspiration to balloon guide catheter does not improve outcomes in large vessel occlusion anterior circulation stent retriever based thrombectomy for acute stroke

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017760 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2021-017760

Author(s):

Jordi Blasco ◽

Josep Puig ◽

Antonio López-Rueda ◽

Pepus Daunis-i-Estadella ◽

Laura Llull ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Scale Score ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Stent Retriever ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Complete Revascularization ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Guide Catheter

BackgroundBalloon 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.MethodsConsecutive 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.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionsOur 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.

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Balloon guide catheter improvements in thrombectomy outcomespersist despite advances in intracranial aspiration technology

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-017027 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2020-017027

Author(s):

Jordi Blasco ◽

Josep Puig ◽

Pepus Daunis-i-Estadella ◽

Eva González ◽

Juan Jose Fondevila Monso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Guide Catheter ◽

Improved Outcomes ◽

Procedural Time ◽

The Impact ◽

Contemporary Technology

BackgroundFirst-pass effect (FPE) has been established as a key metric for technical success and strongly correlates with better clinical outcomes. Most data supporting improved outcomes with the use of a balloon guide catheter (BGC) predate the advent of last-generation large-bore intracranial aspiration catheters. We aim to evaluate the impact of BGC in FPE and clinical outcomes in a large cohort of patients treated with contemporary technology.MethodsPatients were recruited from the prospectively ongoing ROSSETTI registry. This registry includes all consecutive patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion (LVO) from 10 comprehensive stroke centers in Spain. Demographic, clinical, angiographic, and clinical outcome data were compared between BGC and non-BGC groups. FPE was defined as the achievement of mTICI2c–3 after a single device pass.Results426 patients were included out of which 271 (63.62%) used BCG. BGC-treated patients had higher FPE rate (45.8% vs 27.7%; P<0.001), higher final mTICI ≥2 c recanalization rate (76.8% vs 50.3%, respectively; P<0.001), shorter procedural time [median (IQR), 30 (19–58) vs 43 (33–71) min; P<0.001], higher NIHSS difference from admission to 24 hours [median (IQR), 8 (2–12) vs 3 (0–10); P=0.001], and lower mortality rate (17.6% vs 29.8%, P=0.026) compared with non-BGC patients. BGC use was an independent predictor of FPE (OR 2.197, 95% CI 1.436 to 3.361; P<0.001), and excellent clinical outcome at 3 months (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.68; P=0.002).ConclusionsOur results support the benefit of BGC use on angiographic and clinical outcomes in anterior circulation LVO ischemic stroke remain significant even when considering recent improvements in intracranial aspiration technology.

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Abstract WMP11: Joint Commission Certified Stroke Centers Treat More Severe Strokes with Faster Procedure Times Compared to Non-joint Commission Certified Stroke Centers in the Trevo Registry

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.wmp11 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Rishi Gupta ◽

Erol Veznedaroglu ◽

Ronald F Budzik ◽

Joey D English ◽

Blaise W Baxter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Joint Commission ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Stroke Therapy ◽

Demographic Information ◽

Centers Of Excellence ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

First Pass ◽

The Joint Commission

Introduction: Endovascular stroke therapy has become the gold standard treatment for large vessel occlusion. The Joint Commission has certified hospitals as Comprehensive stroke centers (JCCSC) based on rigorous standards in the hopes of identifying centers of excellence. We sought to determine if JCCSC have faster door to reperfusion times compared to non-JCCSC. Methods: The TREVO registry is a multicenter international real world registry assessing angiographic and clinical outcomes with the Trevo device being used in the first pass. We defined a CSC as certified by the Joint Commission as of July 1, 2016. Demographic information, times within the hospital, angiographic results and clinical outcomes were analyzed between the JCCSC and non-JCCSC institutions. Results: A total of 507 patients (329 JCCSC, 178 non-JCCSC) have completed data in the Trevo registry to date. There are a higher proportion of patients with ASPECTS < 7 being treated at JCCSC vs. non-JCCSC (8.8% vs. 0.0%, p<0.02). There were no differences in outcomes, reperfusion rates or symptomatic hemorrhage rates between the two groups. Demographics were similar except patients treated at a JCCSC had a higher median NIHSS [17 vs. 15, p<0.003] compared to the non-JCCSC group. Median (IQR) door to puncture times did not differ between the two groups [85(57-132) vs. 91(59-137), p<0.96], but patients treated at a JCCSC had lower mean angiographic procedure times [59 ± 34 minutes vs. 66±44 minutes, p<0.05]. The analysis did not change when we looked at the subset of patients who were not transferred with anterior circulation strokes less than 8 hours from onset. Conclusions: Patients treated at a JCCSC had faster procedural times, without faster door to procedure times when compared to non-JCCSC centers. Outcomes were no different, due to imbalances in stroke severity at baseline and a higher proportion of patients with ASPECTS < 7 being treated.

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Hypoperfusion intensity ratio for refinement of elderly patient selection for endovascular thrombectomy

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-017218 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2020-017218

Author(s):

Andre Monteiro ◽

Gustavo M Cortez ◽

Elena Greco ◽

Amin Aghaebrahim ◽

Eric Sauvageau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Patient Selection ◽

Intensity Ratio ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Good Outcome ◽

Shift Analysis ◽

Selection For

BackgroundPatients ≥80-year-old presenting with large-vessel occlusion treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) have worst outcomes than younger individuals. Improved patient selection in this age range is warranted. We investigated the hypoperfusion-intensity-ratio (HIR) and its associations with baseline parameters and clinical outcomes in a cohort ≥80-year-old to assess whether it could an option in improving their selection for EVT.MethodsWe performed retrospective analysis of consecutive patients treated with EVT at our center between 2015 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were age ≥80-year-old, any baseline modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and anterior circulation occlusion. Demographic information, baseline characteristics, clinical data, and radiological imaging parameters were collected. HIR was dichotomized into favorable and unfavorable based on median value of the cohort. Good outcome was defined as mRS ≤2 at 90-days.ResultsWe included 82 patients. HIR was significantly correlated with baseline ischemic core volume, NIHSS, and time-of-onset to groin puncture. Good outcome was achieved in 18.3% and mortality occurred in 34.1%. In patients with baseline mRS ≤2, the rate of good outcome was significantly higher in favorable vs unfavorable HIR (52.6% vs 20%, P=0.02). In shift-analysis, unfavorable HIR was significantly associated with downshift to mRS ≥3 (P=0.02). Regression analysis found lower baseline mRS (P=0.009), higher ASPECTS (P=0.02), complete recanalization (P=0.04), and lower HIR (P=0.02) to be associated with increased rate of good outcome. Hierarchical regression showed HIR to independently predict good outcome.ConclusionsIn our cohort, HIR was correlated with baseline parameters and predicted clinical outcomes. Future studies should investigate perfusion parameters such as HIR to improve the selection of elderly patients for EVT.

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Abstract WP40: Balloon Guide Catheter Utilization With Continuous Aspiration Prior to Intracranial Vascular Embolectomy (BGC-CAPTIVE) Associated With Greater Recanalization

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp40 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Weiyi Le ◽

Mahesh V Jayaraman ◽

Grayson L Baird ◽

Brian C Mac Grory ◽

Tina M Burton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

First Pass Effect ◽

Guide Catheter ◽

First Pass

Background: Among thrombectomy techniques, Continuous Aspiration Prior to Intracranial Vascular Embolectomy (CAPTIVE) is associated with higher rates of recanalization. Initially, CAPTIVE was performed without a balloon guide catheter (BGC). We aimed to determine the association between BGC usage with final recanalization as well as first pass effect in patients with anterior circulation emergent large vessel occlusion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with ICA and M1 occlusions treated with thrombectomy using CAPTIVE over a 45-month period. Post-treatment angiograms were scored by an experienced neurointerventionalist who was blinded to BGC usage and clinical outcome. For both BGC and non-BGC groups, we compared degree of recanalization (using the mTICI 2c scale), first-pass successful recanalization (mTICI 2c/3), and time to recanalization. We examined these results for all patients as well as based on clot location (ICA vs. M1). Results: 357 patients met criteria (median age: 73, median NIHSS: 17) for whom BGC was used in 37/70 (53%) with ICA and 116/287 (40%) with M1 occlusion. Odds of successful reperfusion increased 2.4-fold and odds of complete reperfusion increased 3-fold using BGC (both p<.01). Odds of successful first-pass recanalization (mTICI 2c/3) increased 5-fold for ICA occlusions (p=.004) and 1.7-fold for M1 (p=.03) (See Figure). Recanalization time with BGC for ICA occlusions was faster (22 vs. 36 min, p=.02) but there was no difference in time for M1 occlusions (24 vs. 26 min). Conclusions: BGC usage with the CAPTIVE technique is associated with higher recanalization rates, markedly higher first pass effect (mTICI 2c/3) for both ICA and M1 occlusions, and faster recanalization for ICA occlusions.

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