Purpose: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an established treatment for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy. A variety of techniques and devices have been devised to minimise periprocedural stroke risk using either proximal or distal embolic protection. This study presents a method of embolic protection during CAS–the CaRotid Artery Filtering Technique (CRAFT). Materials and Methods: The CRAFT technique employs aspects of both proximal and distal embolic protection. The CASPER RX stent (MicroVention, Tustin, CA, USA), which is a double-layered, closed-cell, micromesh nitinol stent, is deployed across the carotid artery stenosis with the assistance of a FlowGate balloon guide catheter (Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, CA, USA). The partially deployed stent acts as a distal filter while the balloon guide is deflated midway during stent deployment to prevent distal plaque embolisation, followed by completion of stent deployment and angioplasty. Results: A total of 94 patients underwent CAS using the CRAFT technique between June 2016 and March 2021. Successful stent deployment was achieved in all patients. Preliminary results demonstrated acute stent occlusion in 6 patients (6.4%) and distal embolic stroke in 5 patients (5.3%). The median procedural fluoroscopy time was 34 minutes with an interquartile range of 22 to 55 minutes. Conclusion The CRAFT technique of CAS presented by this study can be applied in the treatment of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis in both emergency and elective procedure settings with a high technical success and low distal embolic stroke risk.

Purpose: Low-profile, self-expandable stents have broadened therapeutic options available for definitive treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The novel Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) EVO stent extends upon the success of its predecessor, the LVIS Jr stent, aiming to enable higher visibility and greater opening ability within a self-expandable and fully retrievable microstent system. In this study, we aim to report the early safety and feasibility experience with the LVIS EVO stent. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients who had intracranial aneurysms treated with the LVIS EVO stent across 3 Australian neurovascular centers between February 2020 and September 2020. Short-term technical and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: A total of 22 LVIS EVO stents were successfully implanted to treat 15 aneurysms (3 ruptured, 12 unruptured) in 15 patients. Aneurysms ranged from 2 mm to 35 mm in dome height. The LVIS EVO stent was used for stent-assisted coiling in 11 patients and flow diversion in 4 patients. There were no device-related procedural complications. There were 2 cases of peri-procedural symptomatic thromboembolic complications and no procedure-related mortality. At early radiological follow up, 10 patients had complete occlusion, 4 patients had small neck remnants, and 1 patient who was managed with flow diversion had a residual aneurysm. Conclusion Early experience with the LVIS EVO stent demonstrated safety and feasibility for stent-assisted coiling as well as flow diversion for intracranial aneurysms. In this heterogeneous cohort, including ruptured, complex, and large aneurysms, all cases were technically successful.

Purpose: Low-profile, self-expandable stents have broadened therapeutic options available for definitive treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The novel Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) EVO stent extends upon the success of its predecessor, the LVIS Jr stent, aiming to enable higher visibility and greater opening ability within a self-expandable and fully retrievable microstent system. In this study, we aim to report the early safety and feasibility experience with the LVIS EVO stent. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients who had intracranial aneurysms treated with the LVIS EVO stent across 3 Australian neurovascular centers between February 2020 and September 2020. Short-term technical and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: A total of 22 LVIS EVO stents were successfully implanted to treat 15 aneurysms (3 ruptured, 12 unruptured) in 15 patients. Aneurysms ranged from 2 mm to 35 mm in dome height. The LVIS EVO stent was used for stent-assisted coiling in 11 patients and flow diversion in 4 patients. There were no device-related procedural complications. There were 2 cases of peri-procedural symptomatic thromboembolic complications and no procedure-related mortality. At early radiological follow up, 10 patients had complete occlusion, 4 patients had small neck remnants, and 1 patient who was managed with flow diversion had a residual aneurysm. Conclusion Early experience with the LVIS EVO stent demonstrated safety and feasibility for stent-assisted coiling as well as flow diversion for intracranial aneurysms. In this heterogeneous cohort, including ruptured, complex, and large aneurysms, all cases were technically successful.

PURPOSE: The evidence for endovascular therapy and choice of technique in distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) M2 segment occlusions in acute ischemic stroke remains controversial. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis primarily comparing reperfusion rates of stent-retrieval versus contact aspiration for M2 occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study selection included cohorts of patients with distal MCA occlusions in acute ischemic strokes treated with an endovascular approach including stent-retrieval or contact aspiration. Twelve studies were selected for meta-analysis for a total of 835 cases. Meta-analysis by proportions was conducted on parameters including baseline and procedural characteristics, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b–3 outcomes, and 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) outcomes. RESULTS: Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were more prevalent in stent-retriever patients. Pooled baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score imaging scores were similar. Pooled time onset of symptoms to door arrival was higher for the stent-retrieval group (154 vs. 97.4 minutes, P=0.01), as was time to groin puncture (259.9 vs. 156.2 minutes, P=0.02), but there was no difference in procedure time. The TICI 2b–3 recanalization rate was similar (80.5% vs. 86.8%, P=0.168). The frequency of mRS 0–2 at 90-day was also similar (74.5% vs. 59.9%, P=0.120), and an excellent mRS 0–1 was lower for stent-retrievers (39.9% vs. 65.6%, P=0.003). A significant negative correlation was found between onset to groin puncture time and the proportion of patients with a good mRS (r=-0.71, P=0.048). CONCLUSION: Both endovascular techniques achieved recanalization rates greater than 80% and 90-day outcomes of minimal disability with similar complication rates. The literature is skewed by aspiration cases being performed sooner after onset of stroke compared to stent-retriever cases.
Alberta ; Cerebral Infarction ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Cohort Studies ; Endovascular Procedures ; Groin ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Ischemia ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Punctures ; Reperfusion ; Stroke* ; Thrombectomy*