Abstract 1122‐000073: Influence of Catheter Tip Position and Aspiration Technique on ADAPT Revascularization Success with Various Catheters
Authors: Fitzgerald Seán T , Mullins Liam , Connolly Kevin , Thornton John , Nogueira Raul G 
Published: December 2021

Introduction
: Previous studies demonstrated that both the location of the distal access catheter tip and angle of aspiration have a significant impact on revascularization outcomes
1,2
. A direct aspiration First‐Pass technique (ADAPT) with large‐bore aspiration catheters has emerged as a fast, safe, and effective thrombectomy technique. Maximizing the catheter‐to‐vessel size has previously been shown to enhance distal flow control resulting in improved in‐vitro revascularization rates for aspiration thrombectomy
3
. However, physicians differ in their preference for aspiration catheter tip placement, typically either positioning the catheter tip at the ‘face’ of the clot or advancing the catheter tip into the clot to engage it. We hypothesize that sizing the aspiration catheter outer diameter (OD) to the inner diameter (ID) of the vessel and embedding the catheter tip in the clot may result in ‘pinning’ fragments of clot between the catheter and vessel wall, thereby negatively affecting revascularization outcomes. Withdrawal of the aspiration catheter under continuous aspiration may mitigate this effect. We investigate the influence of catheter tip position and aspiration technique on ADAPT revascularization success with various sizes of aspiration catheters.

Methods
: Two clot analogues phenotypes (RBC‐Rich and Fibrin/Platelet‐Rich) were created from human blood and used to form occlusions in an In‐vitro thrombectomy model as previously described
4
. Two catheter tip positions and three techniques were investigated; 1). Catheter tip proximal to the face of the clot followed by conventional aspiration, 2). Catheter tip ‘embedded’ into the clot followed by conventional aspiration, and 3). Catheter tip ‘embedded’ into the clot followed by conventional aspiration and aspiration on catheter withdrawal even if clot ingestion occurred. Two aspiration catheters were investigated; Millipede 088’’ (Perfuze Ltd) and SOFIA Plus (Terumo). Multiple replicates of each test were performed. Endpoints were First‐Pass Effect and procedural‐related distal emboli from 200–1000µm.

Results
: Maximizing the catheter‐to‐vessel size increases success of the ADAPT approach when the tip is located proximal to the clot face (Fig 1 A&B); Millipede 088 achieves a higher First‐Pass Effect rate than SOFIA Plus. Sizing the catheter‐to‐vessel and embedding the catheter tip into the clot (Figure 1C) results in ‘pinning’ of clot fragments between the catheter and vessel wall (Figure 1D) resulting in lower rates of First‐Pass Effect. Withdrawing the catheter under continuous aspiration increases the success of the embedding method by capturing ‘pinned’ fragments.

Conclusions
: The position of the aspiration catheter tip and aspiration technique used both influence the success of ADAPT procedures. Sizing the catheter‐to‐vessel results in improved revascularization. However, embedding the tip into the clot when the vessel is similar in ID to the catheter OD may reduce First‐Pass Effect rates. To optimize the rates of First‐Pass Effect, aspiration catheters may be positioned at the proximal face of the clot or retracted under continuous aspiration if wedged into the clot.