Introduction: Forced-suction thrombecomy in acute stroke utilizes the Penumbra .054in Reperfusion catheter and a large syringe, foregoing the separator and suction canister. The efficacy of this new technique was compared to all other methods at two large stroke centers.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for all patient undergoing thrombectomy for acute stroke over the last three years at University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University. Patient who underwent forced-suction thrombectomy were compared to those who underwent all other methods for rate of recanalization (TIMI>or=2) and mean time of procedure. The results were compared using fisher exact test and an unpaired student’s t-test.

Results: Of the 57 patients identified, 10 underwent forced suction thrombectomy and 47 some other method. Compared to all other methods, forced-suction thrombectomy had a higher success rate (10/10 [100%] vs.27/47 [57%], p=0.0102), and a faster procedure (18.7 minutes vs. 83.7 minutes, p=0.0001). There were no procedure-related complications in either group.

Conclusions: Early experience with forced-suction thrombectomy suggests it is faster and more effective at vessel recanalization than other techniques in the treatment of acute stroke.

Patient Care: Allow other surgeons to evaluate the possible advantages of forced-suction thrombectomy

Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to: 1) Describe the different methods of thrombectomy 2) Understand the potential benefit of forced suction thrombectomy

References: Direct thrombus retrieval using the reperfusion catheter of the penumbra system: forced-suction thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. Kang DH, Hwang YH, Kim YS, Park J, Kwon O, Jung C. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2011 Feb;32(2):283-7. Epub 2010 Nov 18.