A novel corkscrew-like device that mechanically removes clots
from the brain has shown promise in recanalizing occluded vessels and reversing
damage caused by ischemic stroke, according to researchers at the 29th
International Stroke Conference.
Dr. Sidney Starkman, professor of emergency medicine and neurology at the
University of California at Los Angeles, presented the phase I and II findings
of the Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral Ischemia (MERCI) trial.
The investigational device consists of a flexible nickel-titanium wire with a
coiled tip that is inserted into the femoral artery and guided via standard
angiography into the brain to where the clot is located. When the coil snares
the clot, the device and the clot are withdrawn into a catheter with a balloon.
The balloon is inflated briefly to stop blood flow and allow the clot to be
evacuated.
At the conference, the results of 114 patients from 25 centres were reported.
The average age was 70 years (range 28 to 93 years), and 46% were women. The
average National Institutes of Health Stroke Score at baseline was 19,
indicating severe impairment. Patients included in the study were those seen up
to eight hours after initial stroke symptoms who were not eligible for standard
tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) drug therapy.
"The only approved therapy for stroke is tPA," Dr. Starkman said. "But it has
the limitation that it must be administered within three hours of stroke
onset."
The MERCI retrieval device successfully restored blood flow in 61 (54%) of
the patients, and 23 of these patients recovered with no disability or only
minor disability, such as handwriting problems. Only 6% of patients whose
vessels were not opened had a good recovery that allowed them to return to their
normal activities.
Dr. Starkman said mortality was significantly higher among patients whose
vessels were not opened (50%) compared with those whose vessels were cleared
(25%).
He said the recovery was instantaneous in some cases, and noted one patient's
paralysis and inability to speak were suddenly reversed with the retrieval of
the clot. "It's just like putting a corkscrew into a wine bottle—you pull it out and you
get flow. It's exhilarating to see it happen."