A Technical Report on the Performance of a New Large Bore Cerebral Aspiration Catheter, the First Results

We describe the initial results of the Syphontrack Super Distal Access (SDA) catheter (InNeuroco Inc., Sunrise, Fl, USA) used for endovascular treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke of the anterior circulation.

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from June 2017 to May 2018 in Maastricht University Medical Center plus (MUMC +) with direct distal aspiration or a combination of distal aspiration with stent retriever thrombectomy was performed. Primary outcome measurements were accessibility and reperfusion grade (eTICI). Secondary outcome measurements were early neurologic recovery (a decrease of four or more points on the NIHSS), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) within 24 h and mRS score at 3 months.

The first 50 patients in whom the SDA catheter was used are included. Direct distal aspiration was performed in 33/50 (66%). In 29/33 (88%), distal position in contact with the clot was achieved of which 15 (52%) were successful (eTICI 2b or higher) after first attempt. Total successful reperfusion rate was 23/50 (46%) after first pass. Final successful reperfusion, after multiple attempts, was reached in 48/50 (96%). Early neurologic recovery was seen in 21/50 (42%), and functional independence (mRS score of 0-2) at 3 months was achieved in 17/50 (35%). sICH occurred in 4/50 (8%) within 24 h post-procedural.

In our clinical practice, endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke with the SDA catheter had similar technical and clinical results as reported in the literature.