Mechanical thrombectomy with Q catheter in stroke caused by primary and secondary distal and medium vessel occlusions

Background The MIVI Q aspiration catheters have been shown to achieve significantly greater flow rates than other intracranial aspiration catheters in vitro. We describe our initial real-world experience with the MIVI Q catheter in emergent acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by distal and medium vessel occlusions (DMVO). Methods Data was collated from a prospectively maintained database which included patients from October 2019 to December 2022. Occlusion demographics, thrombectomy technique, reperfusion scoring, procedural complications and disposition were assessed. The primary outcome of interest was rate of successful reperfusion defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score 2b-3. Secondary outcomes included rate of first pass effect (FPE) and complications. Results We included 64 target occlusions in 51 patients. The Q catheter successfully reached the DMVO in all occlusions. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 49/64 (76.6%) occlusions, and TICI scores were similar for primary and secondary DMVOs (P value = 0.41). FPE was achieved in 39/64 (60.9%) occlusions and did not differ between primary and secondary DMVOs (P value = 0.13). Reperfusion hemorrhage occurred in 3/64 (4.7%) cases, small volume subarachnoid hemorrhage in 3/64 (4.7%) cases, and small hemorrhagic transformation in 1/64 (1.6%) cases; the rate of complications did not differ based on primary versus secondary DMVO (P value = 0.29). Conclusion The MIVI Q catheter is both safe and effective. Our real-world experience supports the superior flow rates demonstrated in vitro and translates into high rates of successful reperfusion in AIS caused by DMVO in clinical practice.