Combined Aspiration and Stent Retriever Thrombectomy for Distal Carotid Artery Occlusion Using Balloon Guide versus Non-Balloon Guide Catheter.

Background : The introduction of endovascular thrombectomy dramatically changed acute stroke management and became the standard treatment. Balloon guide catheters provide flow arrest during the clot retrieval process and have several advantages.This study aimed to compare balloon guide catheters (BGCs) versus non-balloon guide catheters (NBGCs) as a part of a combined treatment modality in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke. Methods : This retrospective study included n = 65 patients who underwent a combined endovascular stroke treatment for distal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. Patients underwent aspiration and stent retriever thrombectomy with the use of BGCs (Group 1, n = 27) or NBGCs (Group 2, n = 38). Results : The groups were compared for outcomes: the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSSS) score change, successful recanalization, good functional outcome at three months, and in-hospital mortality. Conclusion : The two groups didn't differ in terms of the NIHSS score change compared to baseline ( p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the successful recanalization rate, three-month favorable functional outcome rate, and in-hospital mortality ( p = 0.292, p = 0.952, p = 0.178), respectively. Further prospective studies with a larger number of patients and better methodology are warranted.