Initial multicenter experience with the Raptor aspiration catheter for treating large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke

BackgroundMechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the standard of care for ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO). Direct aspiration techniques (ADAPT) have demonstrated efficacy comparable to stent retrievers (SRs).ObjectiveTo describe the safety and efficacy of the Raptor catheter as a first-line aspiration device for LVO MT in a national multicenter setting.MethodsWe prospectively, enrolled 46 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to LVO. Patients were treated with the Raptor catheter as a first-line ADAPT technique. Demographic, clinical, and procedural variables were analyzed. Efficacy and safety outcomes were recorded. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsMedian age was 66 years (IQR 59-77), with 39.1% women. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at admission was 18 (IQR 13.5-21), and the M1 segment accounted for 67.4% of the LVOs. First-pass effect (FPE), defined as mTICI ≥2c, was achieved in 54.3% (25/46), and final recanalization mTICI ≥2b in 93.5% (43/46). The median number of passes was 1 (IQR 1-2), and the mean puncture-to-recanalization time was 25.7 ± 28.4 min. Rescue SRs were used in 17.4% (8/46). Complications were documented in five patients (10.9%) with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 3/46. Ninety-day mortality was 6.5%. At 90 days follow-up, 61.9% were functionally independent.ConclusionThe Raptor catheter proved to be safe and effective as a first-line strategy for LVO MT, with recanalization and FPE rates comparable to other large-bore aspiration devices with low rates of intracranial complications and mortality. Comparative and more extensive studies are needed to validate these findings.