Evaluating the efficacy of stent retriever and catheter aspiration combination in refractory cerebral venous sinus Thrombosis: A comprehensive Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, often associated with specific risk factors. The primary treatment for CVST is anticoagulation, but some cases progress to Refractory CVST (rCVST), requiring endovascular treatment. A combination of stent retriever and catheter aspiration is emerging as a promising technique to enhance treatment effectiveness. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of this approach, aiming to improve recanalization success and neurological outcomes while reducing complications in rCVST patients.

METHODS

A search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted across Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify studies on the use of stent retrievers and catheter aspiration for rCVST. Pooled analysis with 95 % confidence intervals was used to assess the effects. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics and a random-effects model was used. Complete recanalization. good clinical outcomes (mRS ≤ 2), hemorrhagic, neurological, ischemic, and total complications, poor clinical outcomes (mRS > 2), and mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis of five retrospective studies involving 55 patients examined outcomes in CVST. The median mean age was 40 years. Complete recanalization rate: 36 % (95 % CI: 9 % to 62 %, I2 = 90 %). Good clinical outcomes: 72 % (95 % CI: 50 % to 94 %, I2 = 76 %). Hemorrhagic complications: 2 % (95 % CI: 0 % to 8 %, I2 = 15 %). Ischemic complications: 0 % (95 % CI: 0 % to 6 %, I2 = 0 %). Neurological complications: 7 % (95 % CI: 0 % to 14 %, I2 = 0 %). Poor clinical outcomes: 26 % (95 % CI: 6 % to 46 %, I2 = 70 %). Total complications: 6 % (95 % CI: 0 % to 15 %, I2 = 10 %). Mortality rate: 5 % (95 % CI: 0 % to 13 %, I2 = 19 %).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis scrutinized the efficacy of combining Stent Retriever and Catheter Aspiration for rCVST. Findings highlighted varied outcomes, including recanalization rates, complications, and mortality. The dichotomy between good and poor outcomes underscores the necessity for personalized therapeutic decisions. While offering a comprehensive overview, the study emphasizes literature heterogeneity, suggesting a need for more rigorous and standardized research to optimize therapeutic strategies in clinical practice.

Hybrid mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke using an intermediate aspiration catheter and Trevo stent simultaneously

PURPOSE

To overcome the limitations of traditional mechanical thrombectomy (MT), including catheter aspiration and stent retrievers, such as thrombus fragmentation or migration, we designed hybrid MT using an intermediate aspiration catheter and a Trevo stent simultaneously. We retrospectively compared hybrid MT with the traditional MT.

METHODS

From January 2017 to January 2019, we performed MT on 91 occlusions, including internal carotid artery bifurcation (n = 17), M1 segment (n = 53) and M2 segment (n = 21), using hybrid MT (n = 42) and traditional MT (n = 49).

RESULTS

Hybrid MT had a shorter procedure time (52.4 ± 22.0 vs. 73.0 ± 36.2 min, p = 0.002) and fewer attempts (1.50 ± 0.86 vs. 1.92 ± 1.10 times, p = 0.049) than traditional MT did. Hybrid MT achieved more good clinical outcome (3-month modified Rankin Scale score, 2 or less) and better successful recanalization (Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction grade, 2b or 3) than traditional MT did, but the difference was not significant (61.9% vs. 55.1%, p = 0.531, 92.9% vs. 87.8%, p = 0.498). Hybrid MT showed a higher first pass successful recanalization rate than traditional MT did (69.0% vs. 40.8%, p = 0.011). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that first pass successful recanalization is related to the M1 segment rather than other segments (adjusted odds ratio (OR); 3.277, confidence interval (CI); 1.227-8.749, p = 0.018) and hybrid MT rather than traditional MT (adjusted OR; 4.995, CI; 1.725-14.460, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid MT can be used as a first-line MT modality, particularly in M1 occlusion, based on our high first pass successful recanalization results.

[Combined use of the Solitaire AB stent and Navien delivery catheter for mechanical thrombectory of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectory with a tri-axial system of the solitaire AB stent through a Navien delivery catheter to treatment acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion. Methods: The clinical data of 16 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke of vertebrobasilar artery occlusion treated with the Solitaire AB device from March 2016 to March 2018 in Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shihezi University, were extracted and then retrospectively analyzed.Recanalization rate as well as complications after treatment were analysized. Also, neurological functions of the patients before and after operation 1 weeks, measured by National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score were compared via t test and the clinical outcomes were assessed by modified Rankin score (mRS) at 90 days after operation. Results: There were 10 male and 6 female patients with a median age of 59 years (ranging from 45 to 78 years).Fourteen patients resulted in successfully recanalization, and 2 cases failed both of whose onset to sheath mean time were 8.5 hours.The NIHSS score at 7 days was 13±7, which was significantly decreased compared to the admission NIHSS score 24±4 (P=0.000).No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage case was found after operation.At 90 days, 8 patients achieved good outcome (mRS 0 to 2), one patient died (mRS 6),two patients moderately seriously disabled (mRS 4).Three patients resulted in moderate outcome (mRS 3).In 3 cases of death,2 patients died due to failure in recanalization,another patient died of severe pulmonary infection. Conclusion: The results suggest that this technique of a tri-axial system used of the Solitaire AB stent through a Navien delivery catheter can effectively retrieve clots from the occlusive artery and improves functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke of vertebrobasilar artery.