Background: Current neurointerventional procedures are expanding the use of large bore microcatheters, of up to 0.033" inner diameters, to accommodate intrasaccular flow disruptors or neck-bridging devices, including flow diverters. The use of large bore microwires may mitigate the ledge gap between wire and catheter, facilitate navigation and offer support in distal tortuous anatomy. We aim to report our early experience using the novel Aristotle (Scientia Vascular, West Valley City, UT) 18 and 24 microwires in neurovascular interventions.
Methods: We analysed neurointerventional procedures in which the Aristotle 18 and 24 microwires were used at a single centre. Prospectively collected data, from March 2022 to February 2023, including patient's clinical outcome (successful target vessel, aneurysm catheterisation, peri-procedural complications (thromboembolic, haemorrhagic, vessel dissection or perforation) were analysed.
Results: Overall, the use of Aristotle 18 and 24 microwires was recorded in 84 neurointerventional procedures during the study period, including endovascular aneurysm treatment (n = 30), endovascular thrombectomy (n = 46), dural venous sinus manometry/stent placement (n = 7), and extracranial carotid artery stent placement (n = 1). The Aristotle 18 microwire was used in conjunction with 0.021" microcatheters and the Aristotle 24 microwire with the 0.027 or 0.033" microcatheters. In all cases (100%), the target vessel or aneurysm was reached with the microwire, allowing seamless advancement of the selected microcatheters. No procedure related complications were recorded.
Conclusions: The use of the Aristotle 18 and 24 microwires in neurointerventional procedures is feasible and safe. The microwires provide reduced ledge gap, improved torquability, support and safety over standard 0.014" microwires.
Keywords: Stroke; aneurysm; intracranial; microcatheter; microwire.