First-line Aspiration Thrombectomy with the RED43 Catheter for Acute Ischemic Stroke due to Medium or Distal Vessel Occlusion.

Abstract

Purpose: Techniques for endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke due to medium or distal vessel occlusions (MDVO) need to be improved, and first-line aspiration is emerging as a promising technique. The objective was to describe first-pass and final reperfusion rates with a triaxial direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) and a novel, quadriaxial technique (QUATTRO-ADAPT) using RED43 Reperfusion Catheters to target MDVOs.

Methods: This retrospective study collected data from 11 stroke centers in Europe and North America between 2023 and 2025. Patients with primary, isolated MDVOs who underwent thrombectomy using first-line aspiration with RED43 Reperfusion Catheters were included. Primary outcome was first-pass successful reperfusion rate (modified Treatment In Cerebral Infarction score ≥ 2b). Additionally, final reperfusion rates, complications and functional outcomes up to 90 days were evaluated.

Results: We included 85 cases. Median age was 74 years (IQR 67-81) and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 9 (IQR 6-15). The majority (69.4%) had an occlusion of the co- or nondominant M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery. First-pass successful reperfusion was 63.5% overall, with 55.6% for the triaxial ADAPT and 69.4% for the quadriaxial QUATTRO-ADAPT. Final successful reperfusion was achieved in 96.5%. Complications included vessel perforations (2.4%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (3.5%), parenchymal hematoma type 2 (2.4%), and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (1.2%). Functional independence (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at 90 days was observed in 58.7%.

Conclusion: This study shows that first-line aspiration, especially in a quadriaxial approach, can be effective and safe. These findings should be evaluated in prospective trials.