Mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke with the alligator retrieval device.
OBJECTIVE
Recanalization of occluded vessels in acute ischemic stroke is associated with improved outcome. Devices that can quickly and safely remove thrombus and promote recanalization are useful in the management of these patients. The Alligator retrieval device, developed for endovascular foreign body retrieval, may also be useful for thrombus removal.


METHODS
Seven patients with acute ischemic stroke (aged 31 to 88 years) who underwent intra-arterial therapy with the Alligator retrieval device at our center are presented.


RESULTS
The Alligator retrieval device was able to retrieve the thrombus in 5 of 7 cases with good to excellent recanalization seen and was unsuccessful in 2 of 7 patients. Complete recanalization was obtained in one of 7 patients and near complete recanalization obtained in 4 of 7 patients. Three of the 7 patients had good outcome at 3 months and 3 of 7 patients died within 30 days of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The Alligator retrieval device was successfully able to remove thrombus in the majority of cases. It appears to have increased success in proximal occlusions in relatively straight segments. In properly selected cases, it may be a useful device in intra-arterial stroke management.
Hussain
Muhammad S
MS
Section of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OHIO, USA.
Kelly
Michael E
ME
Moskowitz
Shaye I
SI
Furlan
Anthony J
AJ
Turner
Raymond D
RD
Gonugunta
Vivek
V
Rasmussen
Peter A
PA
Masaryk
Thomas J
TJ
Fiorella
David
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D020521:Stroke / Q000601:surgery*; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome