Background: M2 occlusions represent 16%-41% of all middle cerebral artery occlusions, with >50% of functional independence achieved. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association 2018 guidelines suggest that, with a level of evidence B-R, thrombectomy with stent retrievers may be appropriate for selected patients with M2 or M3 occlusions. The purpose of this study is to illustrate a new technique of distal (M2-M3) thrombectomy.
Methods: Eight patients from May 2018 to February 2019 underwent a thrombectomy procedure for a M2 or M3 occlusion with a 3MAX or 4MAX intermediate aspiration catheter, a Headway Duo 167 cm microcatheter, and a Catchview Mini stent retriever.
Results: All thrombectomies were technically successful, defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score ≤2b. Five out of the 8 patients attained a good functional outcome at 3 months, defined as modified Rankin scale score ≤2.
Conclusions: This technique allows a safe and effective distal thrombectomy for M2-M3 occlusions.
Keywords: Endovascular therapy; Ischemic stroke; Technical note; Thrombectomy.
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