Background Stable guide catheter position within the cerebral intracranial vasculature allows for safe and effective treatment. Reported herein, an initial experience determining safety and efficacy with the 0.071” ID inner diameter Benchmark guide catheter used in the treatment of intracranial cerebrovascular pathologies.

Methods This retrospective study reviewed cases from September 2014 through December 2014 that used the Benchmark guide catheter in the treatment of various neuroendovascular intracranial pathologies. Clinical performance and complication rates were assessed.

Results Overall, 62 Benchmark guide catheters were used, 47 in the anterior circulation, 10 in the posterior circulation, 4 in the external carotid, and 1 in the venous sinus. Five cases were excluded that had access to the external carotid and venous sinus.

The Benchmark was capable of crossing at the minimum one 90-degree turn in 49 (86%) out of the 57 patients. Reversal of the catheter was seen in 15% of 47 anterior circulation cases (4 at one 90-degree turn; 3 at two 90-degree turns). No complications of dissection or thromboembolic events were noted. All guide catheter positions were safely achieved over a 0.035 Terumo stiff glidewire without the need for an inner smaller lumen guide catheter for navigation.

Conclusion With an ideal hybrid of hyper-flexible distal tip and proximal shaft stiffness, Benchmark is a novel guide catheter that provides stability in access for an overall effective neurointerventional procedure. Its ease of use allows physicians to safely position it into the preferred location within intracranial arteries while still maintaining stability throughout the intervention and adequate angiography.

Disclosures A. Chandran: None. M. Puthuran: None. P. Eldridge: None. H. Nahser: None.