Abstract WP14: Higher Aspiration Force Improves Technical Outcomes in ADAPT Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke
Introduction: Aspiration thrombectomy using the direct aspiration at first pass technique (ADAPT) has been shown to be non-inferior to stent-retriever thrombectomy in ischemic stroke trials. Favorable outcomes after ADAPT are dependent on successful recanalization and lower number of aspiration attempts. We investigated the impact of aspiration force on technical and clinical outcomes of ADAPT by modulating two underlying determinants, the aspiration catheter size and the reperfusion pump power. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing ADAPT thrombectomy between 01/2018 and 02/2019. Patient treated using ADAPT were included irrespective of age, onset to groin or whether thrombolytic therapy was administered. Patient demographics and outcomes were reviewed from patient charts and thrombectomy procedure notes. Patients were dichotomized based on the reperfusion pump used (MAX, 28.5 inHb power vs ENGINE, 29.2 inHg power) and further split into the different reperfusion catheters used. Results: This study included 194 patients who underwent ADAPT thrombectomy during the study period with mean age of 69, and of which 48% were females. Comparing patients treated with two different reperfusion pumps, ENGINE (N=73) and MAX (N=118), similar rates of favorable outcomes measured by 90-day modified Rankin score (mRS) were observed. However, patients in the ENGINE groups had significantly shorter procedure time (20 vs 27 min, p<0.05), lower number of aspiration attempts (1.9 vs 2.2 p<0.05), and low rates of rescue stent retriever therapy (14% vs 33%, p<0.05). The use of ENGINE was an independent predictor of shorter procedure time (p<0.05) and lower rates of symptomatic hemorrhage (p<0.1) compared to MAX pump. There was no significant difference in procedure time and rates of functional outcomes among patients undergoing ADAPT using different sizes of large bore catheters ACE 60, ACE68 and Jet 7. Conclusion: Success of ADAPT thrombectomy is dependent on successful aspiration of the occluding clot, and is dependent on the aspiration force. Higher aspiration forces can be achieved by increasing the power of reperfusion pump leading to better technical outcomes without increased complication rates.