Direct Aspiration Versus Combined Technique for Anterior Distal, Medium Vessel Occlusions Stroke: The JET Distal Vessel Occlusion Study.

Background and objectives: The optimal mechanical thrombectomy technique for distal, medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) stroke remains unknown. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of 2 thrombectomy first-line approaches, direct aspiration (DA), and combined technique (CT) in patients with DMVOs.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected multicenter database of patients with DMVOs (at or distal to M2 and A1), who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with JET D reperfusion catheters between January 2020 and December 2021. The primary end point was the rate of first-pass complete recanalization, defined as modified treatment in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 3. The hemorrhagic complications, the 90 days functional independence rate (modified Rankin Scale 0-2), and mortality were also evaluated.

Results: A total of 171 consecutive patients were enrolled (95 in DA and 76 in CT cohort). The 2 groups had comparable demographics and baseline characteristics. The DA group had a higher rate of first-pass effect (40.0% vs 10.5%, P < .001), final mTICI 2b-3 (89.5% vs 71.1%, P = .003) and final mTICI 3 (58.9% vs 28.9%, P < .001), shorter groin to reperfusion time (65 ± 43 min vs 101 ± 60 min, P < .001), and higher rate of 90-day functional independence (63.7% vs 36.1%; P = .001) compared with the CT group. There were no significant differences in hemorrhagic complications between the 2 groups. The DA group showed a lower rate of 90-day mortality (9.9% vs 27.8%; P = .004).

Conclusion: In patients with DMVOs, DA with a distal dedicated reperfusion catheter appears to demonstrate better safety and efficacy when compared with the CT using the same catheter.