Carotid artery stenting with proximal embolic protection via the transbrachial approach: sheathless navigation of a 9-F balloon-guiding catheter

Carotid Artery Stenting Using Sheathless 8Fr Optimo Balloon Guide Catheter System via Transradial Access

BACKGROUND

The transradial approach (TRA) is a less invasive alternative for carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, limited device availability has restricted its application, and reports on balloon guide catheters (BGCs) in TRA are scarce. This study reports the initial experience with sheathless 8Fr BGC in CAS via TRA.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed cases of CAS performed with a sheathless 8Fr Optimo BGC (Tokai Medical Products, Aichi, Japan) via TRA from April 2023 to November 2024. Patient demographics, procedural details, and outcomes were evaluated. The primary efficacy endpoint was the technical success rate, while the primary safety endpoint was a composite of major access-related complications, stroke, myocardial infarction, and death within 30 days.

RESULTS

A total of 30 cases were included (median age 77 years; 90% male). Symptomatic lesions were present in 42%, with a median stenosis rate of 79%, and 63% involved the right carotid artery. Sheathless BGC insertion and navigation succeeded in 29 cases (97%), with 1 case (3%) requiring conversion to brachial access due to radial artery spasm. Balloon inflation for flow control and device stabilization was performed in 23 cases (77%). CAS was successful in all cases, with no major complications or adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Our experience suggests that the sheathless 8Fr BGC is safe and feasible for CAS via TRA. This approach preserves the minimally invasive nature of TRA while improving device stability and potentially reducing embolic risk. Further development of TRA-specific low-profile devices may enhance procedural outcomes and broaden adoption in neurointervention.

Clinical Outcomes of Shifting from Transfemoral-First to Transradial-First Approach in Carotid Artery Stenting: A Retrospective Two-Timeframe Comparison at a Single Center

Objective: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has traditionally been performed using the transfemoral approach (TFA). Recently, the transradial approach (TRA) has gained attention for its lower invasiveness and reduced complication risk. This study compares outcomes between two access strategy timeframes, TFA-first and TRA-first, to evaluate how this shift influences outcomes in a real-world setting. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 85 CAS procedures was conducted at our institution from October 2018 to September 2024, categorizing them into TFA-first (n = 42) and TRA-first (n = 43) periods. The primary endpoint was access-related complications and 30-day perioperative events, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality. The secondary endpoints included target lesion access success rate, frequency of access route conversions, procedural time, and hospital length of stay. Results: Baseline characteristics, including age, sex, symptomatic status, stenosis severity, plaque characteristics, and anatomical considerations, were comparable between groups. In the TFA-first period, 88% of procedures utilized TFA, and TRA was not used at all, while the remaining 12% employed the transbrachial approach (TBA). In the TRA-first period, 23% of procedures employed TFA, 60% utilized TRA, and 16% relied on TBA (p < 0.01). Both groups achieved a similar rate of target lesion access success (98% each) with only one conversion per group. The primary endpoint was significantly lower in the TRA-first group (0%) compared to the TFA-first group (10%, p = 0.04), primarily due to reduced access-site complications. Additionally, the median hospital stay was shorter in the TRA-first group at 6 days compared to 10 days (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Adopting a TRA-first strategy over TFA in CAS leads to better outcomes by improving access-site safety and reducing hospital stays. Developing TRA-specific devices could further expand the applicability of TRA in CAS.

Feasibility and radial artery occlusion rate of sheathless distal transradial access using balloon guide catheters

Distal transradial access (dTRA), performed through an anatomical snuffbox, minimizes post-procedural burdens of endovascular treatments. However, despite the benefits of balloon-guide catheters (BGCs), their use in dTRA is limited by their small radial artery diameter. Herein, we evaluated the feasibility and radial artery occlusion (RAO) rate of 8Fr BGCs used in sheathless dTRA. This retrospective study reviewed patients treated with sheathless dTRA using an 8Fr Optimo at a single center between July 2023 and May 2024. dTRA procedures were performed under general anesthesia in patients not requiring urgent treatment. The RAO was assessed using ultrasonography 24 h after the procedure. The demographic and procedural characteristics were compared between the radial artery patency and occlusion groups. Of 170 patients, 50 underwent dTRA, and 43 (86%) completed the procedure. RAO occurred in 12/43 (28%) patients with dTRA. Univariate and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that the median radial artery diameter was significantly smaller in the RAO group (P < 0.001), with an optimal cut-off value of 2.4 mm to predict RAO. Complications included minor cerebral ischemia in two patients, but no severe ischemia was observed. Sheathless dTRA using an 8Fr Optimo BGC is feasible, but the risk of RAO should be noted, particularly in patients with small radial artery diameters. This study suggests a radial artery diameter cutoff value of 2.4 mm to predict RAO, aiding access decisions for large-bore BGC. Further multicenter prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes.

Anatomical Considerations for Endovascular Intervention for Extracranial Carotid Disease: A Review of the Literature and Recommended Guidelines

Patient selection for endovascular intervention in extracranial carotid disease is centered on vascular anatomy. We review anatomical considerations for non-traumatic disease and offer guidelines in patient selection and management. We conducted a systematic literature review without meta-analysis for studies involving anatomical considerations in extracranial carotid intervention for non-traumatic disease. Anatomical considerations discussed included aortic arch variants, degree of vessel stenosis, angulation, tortuosity, and anomalous origins, and atheromatous plaque morphology, composition, and location. Available literature suggests that anatomical risks of morbidity are largely secondary to increased procedural times and difficulties in intervention system delivery. We recommend the prioritization of endovascular techniques on an individual basis in cases where accessible systems and surgeon familiarity provide an acceptable likelihood of rapid access and device deployment.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion via the Transbrachial Approach: Case Series

Mechanical thrombectomy has become a standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. In aged patients, it is difficult to guide the catheter via the transfemoral approach due to vessel tortuosity and aortic elongation. We report our preliminary clinical experience using the transbrachial approach. Among the 119 patients who underwent thrombectomy from April 2018 to December 2019, a total of 5 patients were treated via the transbrachial approach. Clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 4 out of 5 cases. There was 1 death due to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. One patient had a good outcome at discharge. There were no access-site complications associated with any of these cases. Transbrachial access for mechanical thrombectomy is feasible and can provide an alternative to the transfemoral approach.

Feasibility and Efficacy of a 9-Fr Balloon-Guiding Catheter Sheathless Insertion to Reduce Access Site Complications During Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE

A 9-French (Fr) sheath is routinely used during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the use of a large sheath is a risk factor for access site complications (ASCs). Previous studies focused on preventing intracranial complications, and only a few have explored ASCs. We investigated the technical feasibility and efficacy of a sheathless procedure for AIS (SPAIS) that uses a 9-Fr balloon-guiding catheter as a guiding sheath to reduce the sheath size and prevent ASCs during MT.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 133 patients who underwent MT at our center. Patients treated between January 2015 and August 2017 received conventional treatment (C) using a 9-Fr sheath, and SPAIS was attempted in patients treated between September 2017 and October 2019. We first assessed the technical feasibility of SPAIS, and subsequently compared the incidence of ASCs between the SPAIS and C groups. Routine postsurgical ASC assessments using duplex ultrasonography were performed during the post-MT bed-rest period.

RESULTS

The technical success rate of SPAIS was 97.6% (81 of 83 patients). The incidence of ASCs was significantly lower in the SPAIS group (2 of 81, 2.5%) than in the C group (7 of 52, 13.4%) (P < 0.05). Moreover, developed pseudoaneurysms in the SPAIS group showed significantly faster hemostasis than those in the C group (mean 20 minutes vs. 32 minutes; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SPAIS is a feasible technique that effectively reduces MT-associated ASCs; thus, this approach should be adopted to improve patient outcomes.

Unfavorable Vascular Anatomy during Endovascular Treatment of Stroke: Challenges and Bailout Strategies

The benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel intracranial occlusions is directly related to the technical success of the procedures in achieving fast and complete reperfusion. While a precise definition of refractoriness is lacking in the literature, it may be considered when there is reperfusion failure, long procedural times, or high number of passes with the MT devices. Detailed knowledge about the causes for refractory MT in AIS is limited; however, it is most likely a multifaceted problem including factors related to the vascular anatomy and the underlying nature of the occlusive lesion amongst other factors. We aim to review the impact of several key unfavorable anatomical factors that may be encountered during endovascular AIS treatment and discuss potential bail-out strategies to these challenging situations.