%0 Journal Article %A Alexander von Hessling %A Tomás Reyes del Castillo %A Grzegorz Karwacki %A Justus E. Roos %T The Columbus steerable guidewire in neurointerventions: early clinical experience and applications %D 2021 %R 10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017296 %J Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery %P neurintsurg-2021-017296 %X Objective To report our early experience in using the steerable ‘Columbus’ guidewire, also known as ‘Drivewire’ in the USA, and its potential applications in neurovascular interventions.Methods Neurointerventions in 36 patients (20 female, 16 male) using the steerable Columbus guidewire were recorded from August 2019 to December 2020 and included a variety of neurovascular procedures: Treatment of aneurysms (n=17), thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (n=12), and others (n=7), such as treatment of stenosis and embolization procedures. Immediate follow-up with digital subtraction angiography and tracking of each patient’s clinical outcome was performed.Results In 35 out of 36 cases, the target vessel was reached with Columbus, including advancement of the appropriate microcatheter. In 14 cases, additional wires were used, mainly because of the nature of the procedures (eg, use of multiple wires/buddy wires or exchange maneuvers). In five cases, the Columbus wire was damaged by the operator and had to be replaced. Peri-interventional complications occurred in two patients, neither attributed to the Columbus guidewire.Conclusions The new Columbus neurovascular guidewire has the unique ability to be shaped within the patient. Currently available versions lack torquability compared with other available guidewires but offer tremendous support at the tip, allowing maneuvers which are impossible with other wires on the market.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Data are available upon reasonable request. %U https://jnis.bmj.com/content/neurintsurg/early/2021/05/04/neurintsurg-2021-017296.full.pdf