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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
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Author Spotlight: Hickman Catheter Use for Long-Term Vascular Access in a Preclinical Swine Model
Published on: March 31, 2023
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Catheter-Vessel Interactions during Aspiration Thrombectomy: A Comprehensive Analysis Using a Novel Swine Model.
Timothy K Shimizu1, Ichiro Yuki2, Hemdeep Kaur1
1From the Department of Neurosurgery (T.K.S., I.Y., H.K., Z.W.H., T.N., S.S.), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|July 1, 2025
Summary
Vessel size significantly impacts aspiration thrombectomy outcomes. Smaller vessels are prone to collapse and traction, reducing reperfusion success compared to larger arteries.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Interventional Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Catheter-vessel interactions are critical in aspiration thrombectomy.
- Vessel size may influence procedural dynamics and reperfusion outcomes.
- Direct visualization is key to understanding these interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how vessel diameter influences procedural dynamics during aspiration thrombectomy.
- To evaluate the impact of vessel size on reperfusion success rates.
- To utilize a swine model with real-time, direct vessel visualization.
Main Methods:
- A Yorkshire swine model was used to evaluate catheter-vessel interactions.
- Common carotid artery (CCA, 4-6 mm) and superficial cervical artery (SCA, 2-3 mm) represented large and small vessels.
- Aspiration thrombectomy was performed with remote and contact aspiration, monitoring vessel behavior via digital microscopy.
Main Results:
- Remote aspiration achieved 85.7% reperfusion in larger CCAs without collapse, reaching 100% final reperfusion.
- In smaller SCAs, remote aspiration caused 0% reperfusion due to vessel collapse, necessitating contact aspiration for 71.4% reperfusion.
- Vessel collapse was significantly more frequent in SCAs than CCAs (p < 0.001), with distinct traction patterns observed in SCAs.
Conclusions:
- Vessel size is a critical determinant of aspiration thrombectomy efficacy.
- Smaller vessels exhibit increased susceptibility to collapse and catheter-induced traction.
- These factors reduce reperfusion success in smaller vessels, increasing reliance on contact aspiration techniques.
