Clinical Comparison of New Generation 0.071-inch and 0.072-inch Aspiration Catheters

Three new 0.071-inch and 0.072-inch aspiration catheters have been introduced for stroke thrombectomy. Their comparative efficacy has not been clinically evaluated.

We reviewed a prospectively maintained thrombectomy database for cases using 1 of these 3 catheters for proximal large vessel occlusion from September 2018 to February 2019. Clinical and angiographic information was extracted.

Of 145 thrombectomies performed over the time period, 49 utilized 1 of the 3 new large-bore catheters (React 71, n = 21; Vecta 71, n = 19; Jet 7, n = 9) on the first pass. Mean patient age was 73 years (SD: 15). Mean presenting National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 19 (SD: 6, range: 5-33). Clot location was middle cerebral artery first segment in 59% of cases, internal carotid artery in 31%, and basilar in 10%. With or without a stentriever, clot access with the initially selected aspiration catheter was achieved in 47 of 49 (96%) cases. Excluding empiric stentriever usage, the aspiration catheter could be delivered to the clot without needing a stentriever in 87% of cases: 100% with React 71, 93% with Vecta 71, and 43% with Jet 7 (P = 0.002). Final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b/3 was achieved in 92% of cases overall: 95% with React 71, 89% with Jet 7, and 89% with Vecta 71. Median procedure time was 28 minutes; mean total number of passes was 2.4 (SD: 1.6) with 39% of cases being single-pass cases. These rates did not significantly differ between aspiration catheters.

In comparing the newest large bore aspiration catheters, similar angiographic efficacy is achieved.