[Balloon and Conventional Guide Catheters]

A balloon guide catheter (BGC) is commonly used for thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) of the anterior circulation. However, the findings supporting BGC usage remain unclear. The primary purpose of BGC use is preventing embolization in a new area; the BCG is also used as a balloon expansion technique to anchor devices during navigation and delivery to distal vessels. Conventional guide catheters are often used in cases of posterior circulation occlusion or with a transradial approach. Balloon and conventional guide catheters are reviewed, providing evidence supporting their use in treating AIS, describing the characteristics of each, and outlining guidelines for selecting the most appropriate guide catheter.