Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Utility of the novel guide catheter in mechanical thrombectomy for emergent large vessel occlusion stroke
Amanda Zakeri1, Craig Schreiber2, Varun Shah1
1Department of Neurosurgery, The Ohio State University Medical Center, 410 W 10th Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43210.
Background:
A number of large bore guide catheters are currently available for use in neuroendovascular surgery. This study represents a multi-institutional retrospective series of patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy with the use of a TracStar Large Distal Platform (LDP) guide catheter and assessed its performance in vivo in 107 patients.
Objective:
To review a multi-institutional initial experience with the TracStar LDP guide catheter during mechanical thrombectomy for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO).
Methods:
A retrospective review was performed at two level one stroke centres to include all patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy and had the TracStar LDP guide catheter used during the intervention.
Results:
The TracStar LDP guide catheter was successfully used in 107 mechanical thrombectomies. In anterior circulation ELVO, the guide catheter advanced into the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery in 62.6% (62/99) of cases. In posterior circulation cases, the guide catheter advanced to the basilar artery in 87.5% (7/8) of cases. A thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b or greater reperfusion was obtained in 90.7% (97/107). No complications occurred related to the TracStar LDP guide catheter. Three complications occurred with aspiration catheters including a small dissection that did not require further intervention and fracturing of the AXS Catalyst 6 catheter tip in two cases. No thromboembolic events occurred.
Conclusions:
The TracStar LDP large bore guide catheter is safe and effective at navigating the tortuous vascular anatomy often encountered during mechanical thrombectomy for stroke. The flexible distal and stiffer proximal components provide a good combination of navigability and support for use in neuroendovascular interventions.
