title: A retrieval thrombectomy technique with the Solitaire stent in a large cerebral artery occlusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To describe preliminary experiences and the procedural details of retrieval thrombectomy using a self-expanding and fully retrievable Solitaire stent (ev 3 Inc., CA, USA) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large artery occlusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients with AIS were treated by mechanical thrombectomy using a self-expanding, fully retrievable stent (Solitaire, ev 3 Inc., CA, USA). The stent was deployed to cover the whole intra-arterial clot and then it was slowly retrieved while occluding the internal cerebral artery (ICA) with a balloon guiding catheter. Additionally, continuous negative pressure was applied through the balloon guiding catheter with a specially designed gun device. Occlusion sites were M1 in six cases including one combined supraclinoid ICA occlusion and the other combined M2 occlusion, M2 in 1 case and one basilar artery top.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete recanalization was achieved in all patients. Procedure time was 45 min or less in seven cases and 70 min in one case. Distal emboli occurred in one case in which the balloon guide catheter was not used. Only in this case was intraarterial fibrinolytics infusion necessary. There was no post-operative intracranial hemorrhage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our experience, retrieval thrombectomy with the Solitaire stent was a simple and effective method for reopening large cerebral arteries in AIS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Ara-1-dong, Jeju-Si, Jeju Self-Governing Province 690-716, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Gyo Jun
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Sung-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Cheol-Kyu
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Jae Seung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Moon Ku
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hee Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Ghee Young
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: Chang Wan
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: O-Ki
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002548:Cerebral Revascularization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents / Q000592:standards*; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome