Feasibility, efficacy, and safety of mechanical thrombectomy via sheathless transradial access as a first-line strategy: A case series.

Objective: Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is primarily performed via transfemoral access (TFA), transradial access (TRA) is a potential alternative in older patients or those with tortuous vessels. However, the small radial artery diameter restricts the use of large-bore balloon guides and aspiration catheters, a limitation that may be overcome using the sheathless technique. Thus, we aimed to explore the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of sheathless TRA-MT as a first-line treatment approach for acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: This single-center retrospective case series included patients who underwent TRA-MT as first-line treatment between September 2020 and June 2023. Per our MT protocol, TRA was not the first-line approach in cases of left anterior circulation lesions with a type 3 aortic arch. We evaluated treatment effectiveness based on the successful recanalization rate, puncture-to-recanalization time, and modified first-pass effect; access route effectiveness based on the puncture-to-first-pass time and switch-to-TFA rate; and procedure safety based on procedure-related and severe puncture site complications.

Results: Sheathless 8-F guide catheters were used in 68 % and large-bore aspiration catheters in 70 % of the procedures. Successful recanalization was achieved in 98 % of the patients, with a modified first-pass effect in 54 % of them. The median puncture-to-first-pass and puncture-to-recanalization times were 20.5 and 33 min, respectively. The rate of procedure-related complications was low (4 %), with no severe puncture site complications.

Conclusion: Sheathless TRA-MT enabled the use of large-bore guide and aspiration catheters, providing a swift approach to the target and satisfactory outcomes, and might be an effective first-line treatment for acute ischemic stroke.