Safety and Efficacy of Aspiration Catheter CAT6 and 5 Fr Navien in the Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy has become a key treatment option for acute ischemic stroke. This study compared the safety and efficacy of aspiration catheter CAT6 and 5 Fr Navien.

Methods: Thrombectomy was performed in103 patients with the acute internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery M1 or M2 occlusions, including the CAT6 group (n=53 with stent retriever and CAT6 aspiration) and the 5 Fr Navien group (n=50 with stent retriever and 5 Fr Navien aspiration) at the Advanced Stroke Center.

Results: Overall, an aspiration catheter placement success rate was achieved in 93.2% of cases, 52 (98.11%) for CAT6, and 44 (88.00%) for 5 Fr Navien ( P =0.042). Overall, 17 cases (16.51%) required additional guidewire rates, 5.66% for CAT6, and 13.592% for 5 Fr Navien ( P =0.002). First-pass success rate (FPSR) was achieved in 38.84% of cases overall, a rate that did not differ significantly between catheters: 45.28% for CAT6; 32.00% for 5 Fr Navien ( P =0.167). Final thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b or 3 reperfusion was achieved in 91.26% of cases overall, 51 (96.23%) for CAT6, and 43 (86%) for 5 Fr Navien ( P =0.066). The participants had a mean number of passes for the index thrombus of 1.956 and a median procedure time of 65.82±21.8 minutes. There was no significant difference found in 90-day good outcome (mean 42.7%, modified Rankin Score 0 to 2) and 90-day mortality (17%) between CAT6 and 5 Fr Navien.

Conclusion: Aspiration catheter placement success rate and first-pass success rate seemed to be higher for CAT6 and, moreover, the rate of additional guidewires was lower.