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Updated: Oct 4, 2025
Simulator Training for Endovascular Neurosurgery
Published on: May 6, 2020
Republished:Aspiration catheter failure leading to carotid-cavernous fistula during stroke thrombectomy
Mario Agrait1, Joanna Kee-Sampson2, Grzegorz Brzezicki3
1Interventional Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Insights
A rare complication occurred during stroke thrombectomy using the Penumbra Aspiration System. A malfunction of the aspiration catheter led to a carotid-cavernous fistula, a previously unreported issue.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Interventional Neuroradiology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Endovascular thrombectomy is a standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke.
- Aspiration catheters, like the Penumbra Aspiration System, are commonly used in these procedures.
- Device-related complications are generally reported as low.
Abstract:
Endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke commonly uses aspiration catheters, either alone or in combination with stent retrievers. The Penumbra Aspiration System (Penumbra, Alameda, California, USA) was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2007, with low reported device-related complications. We present a case of a previously unreported complication related to malfunction of a Penumbra aspiration catheter during stroke thrombectomy resulting in a carotid-cavernous fistula.
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