Terumo Neuro has unveiled new, real-world physician preference data from the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region on the Sofia Flow 88 aspiration catheter. The data—presented publicly for the first time at this year’s European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT) annual congress (3–5 September, Marseille, France)—demonstrate a “strong performance” compared to other aspiration catheters in key performance metrics including trackability, navigation, and overall physician-rated experience, Terumo Neuro claims.
Collected from 70 procedures across 16 EMEA hospitals and 31 physicians, the preference test revealed that 83% of physicians reported that the Sofia Flow 88 catheter reliably reached the target location—even in anatomically challenging cases, with 76% of procedures in the internal carotid artery terminus (ICA-T) or beyond. In addition, 100% of physicians rated the Sofia Flow 88 catheter as ‘same’ or ‘better’ than the Sofia Plus 6Fr catheter for ease of trackability to the target vessel location, while 92% of physicians rated the Sofia Flow 88 catheter as ‘same’, ‘better’ or ‘much better’ than alternative aspiration catheters overall.
The physician preference data unveiled at ESMINT 2025 build on results from the USA-based SOFAST and European SESAME studies, which demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the Sofia catheter as a frontline approach in mechanical thrombectomy.
“The Sofia Flow 88 neurovascular aspiration catheter represents a meaningful advancement in mechanical thrombectomy therapy across EMEA,” said Carsten Schroeder, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Terumo Neuro. “Its super-bore design maximises aspiration and minimises flow disruption while delivering exceptional support. It enables physicians to navigate even the most tortuous anatomies in an atraumatic fashion. We’re proud that physician preference data so clearly underline the Sofia Flow 88 catheter’s strong performance. It reinforces the Sofia catheter family’s reputation as ‘best in class’ for trackability, navigation and overall performance.”
The Sofia Flow 88 neurovascular aspiration catheter was commercially launched in the EMEA region on 2 June 2025 as the latest addition to Terumo Neuro’s global stroke portfolio.
