Direct Aspiration versus Combined Technique for Distal Medium-Vessel Occlusions: Comparison on a Human Placenta Model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy appears to be a promising option for distal medium-vessel occlusions, for which intravenous thrombolysis is effective but may be insufficient when used alone.

This study aimed to determine the optimal technique for these distal mechanical thrombectomies using the human placenta model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four procedures were performed, allowing comparison of direct aspiration (n = 12) versus the combined technique (n = 12).

Two positions of the aspiration catheter were tested for each of these techniques: in direct contact with the clot and at a distance from it (5–10 mm).

Two types of clots were tested: red blood cell–rich clots and fibrin-rich clots.

First-pass recanalization and induced arterial collapse and traction were assessed.

RESULTS: The first-pass recanalization was less frequent for direct aspiration than for the combined technique, without reaching statistical significance (41.7% versus 75.0%, P = .098).

Full collapse (P < .001) and extended arterial traction (P = .001) were significantly less frequent for direct aspiration.

For direct aspiration with the aspiration catheter not in direct contact with the clot, there was not a single first-pass recanalization and there was systematic arterial collapse, resulting in a no-flow in the aspiration syringe.

CONCLUSIONS: The combined technique appears to be more harmful, and although direct aspiration has a lower rate of first-pass recanalization, it seems appropriate to try direct aspiration as a first-line procedure.

However, if the aspiration catheter cannot reach the clot, it is not useful or even risky to try aspiration alone.

These results need to be confirmed by clinical studies.