Rapid Recanalization of Stent Retriever Compared with That of Old-type Aspiration Catheter for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Objective: In mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, a positive outcome depends on short workflow time and successful recanalization. In this study, we retrospectively compared the recanalization times and rates in our initial experience of mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers and the old-type aspiration catheter system.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy in author's hospital from November 2012 to April 2015, and compared parameters between patients treated with each device.

Results: Thirty patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy in the following order were divided into three chronologically sequential groups (n = 10 patients in each) for evaluating interval trends: the first group of patients underwent thrombectomy using the old aspiration catheter system; second, first stent retrievers; and third, second stent retrievers. Although successful recanalization rates (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≥2b) were not significantly different among the three groups (p = 0.122), puncture-to-recanalization duration or duration of final digital subtraction angiography was significantly longer for patients recanalized using the old aspiration catheter system compared with that of patients recanalized using stent retrievers (143, 59.5, and 51.5 min, respectively; p = 0.004).

Conclusion: Although both thrombectomy systems showed no significant differences in successful recanalization rates, the stent system permitted more rapid recanalization than the old aspiration catheter system.