TY - JOUR T1 - Mechanical thrombectomy using a combined CT/C-arm X-ray system JF - Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery JO - J NeuroIntervent Surg SP - 621 LP - 625 DO - 10.1136/neurintsurg-2015-011744 VL - 8 IS - 6 AU - Johannes Pfaff AU - Christian Herweh AU - Mirko Pham AU - Silvia Schönenberger AU - Julian Bösel AU - Peter A Ringleb AU - Sabine Heiland AU - Martin Bendszus AU - Markus Möhlenbruch Y1 - 2016/06/01 UR - http://jnis.bmj.com/content/8/6/621.abstract N2 - Background Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) using stent-retrievers has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), particularly in large vessel occlusion. Other than patient characteristics, time to recanalization is the most important factor linked to outcome. MT is usually performed in a dedicated angiography suite using a floor- and/or ceiling-mounted biplane angiographic system. Here we report our first experience of MT with a new combined CT and mobile C-arm X-ray device setup.Methods Patients with AIS underwent stroke imaging (non-contrast enhanced CT, CT perfusion, and CT angiography) using a commercially available 64-slice CT scanner which was modified for combined use with a C-arm system. In patients with large vessel occlusion, MT was conducted without further patient transfer within the CT imaging suite using a mobile C-arm X-ray device equipped with a 30×30 cm (12×12 inch), 1.5×1.5 k full-view flat detector which was positioned between the gantry and patient table. The safety and feasibility of this new system was assessed in preliminary patients.Results Angiographic imaging quality of the mobile C-arm was feasible and satisfactory for diagnostic angiography and MT. Using this setup, time between stroke imaging and groin puncture (picture-to-puncture time) was reduced by up to 35 min (including time for preparation of the patient such as intubation).Conclusions MT using a combined CT/C-arm system is safe and feasible. The potential advantages, particularly time saving and ensuing improvement in patient outcome, need to be assessed in a larger study. ER -