Solitaire FR as a first-line device in acute intracerebral occlusion: a single-centre retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Analysing the clinical and angiographical effectiveness of the Solitaire FR as a mechanical thrombectomy device in acute intracerebral occlusion.

METHODS: Sixty-two patients were retrospectively included between January 2010 and March 2012. All of them underwent mechanical thrombectomy with the Solitaire FR device with or without intravenous thrombolysis. Twenty-five patients had an occlusion of the basilar artery, 1 had a posterior cerebral artery occlusion. There were 16 M1 middle cerebral artery occlusions, 9 carotid T occlusions and 11 tandem occlusions. Clinical status was evaluated using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) before and 24 hours after treatment and at discharge. The Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was evaluated at 3 months.

RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 64.8 years. Mean NIHSS score on admission was 19.8. Stand-alone thrombectomy was used in 47 patients (75.8%). Recanalization was successful (TICI score 2b or 3) in 23 of 26 (88.5%) patients with posterior circulation occlusion and in 23 of 36 (63.9%) patients with anterior circulation occlusion. NIHSS improved by more than 10 points for 15 of 59 patients with initial NIHSS over 10. MRS was 0-2 in 25 of 62 patients (40.3%). Overall, 23 patients out of 62 died (37%). No complications related to the Solitaire device occurred.

CONCLUSION: These results confirm that the Solitaire FR device is safe and effective in stand-alone thrombectomy.