Stent-assisted repeated aspiration thrombectomy in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: initial experience with a novel technique.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and safety of stent-assisted repeated aspiration thrombectomy (SARA) in treating cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 13 CVST patients treated with the SARA technique between May 2020 and May 2024. Outcomes assessed included technical recanalization rates, procedure-related complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and functional outcomes at 90 days.

RESULTS

The mean procedure time was 159.9 ± 22.4 (95%CI, 146.3-173.4) minutes. According to TO-ACT criteria, per-patient primary angiographic outcomes were: complete recanalization in 8/13 patients (61.5%, 95%CI 30.9%-92.1%), partial recanalization in 5/13 patients (38.5%, 95%CI 7.9%-69.1%), and none in 0/13 patients (0%). Successful recanalization rates were as follows: superior sagittal sinus (72.7%, 8/11), torcular herophili (75.0%, 6/8), lateral sinus (81.8%, 9/11), internal jugular veins (100%, 4/4), and straight sinus (80.0%, 4/5). No procedure-related complications or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) were observed, and 84.6% (11/13) of patients achieved favorable clinical outcomes at 90 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The SARA technique appears to be a safe and effective endovascular treatment for CVST.