NeuroNews’ final top 10 of 2024 features a number of the biggest talking points and new data presentations from two major neurovascular events: the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) annual meeting (20–22 November, San Diego, USA) and the BRAIN conference (2–4 December 2024, London, UK). In addition, a guest article on the debate between coiling and medical management in smaller-sized intracranial aneurysms was among our most popular stories from December.
1. Latest ‘super-bore’ catheter technology shows promise in initial clinical experience
A device described as the latest addition to a growing group of ‘super-large bore’ catheter technologies has demonstrated “extremely positive” outcomes in early clinical usage. At the recent BRAIN conference, Shahram Majidi (New York City, USA) presented his experiences with Cereglide 92 (Johnson & Johnson MedTech Neurovascular), relaying that the novel 0.092-inch catheter may enable higher first-pass effect rates as well as faster procedure times.
2. Von Vascular presents early data on Algo smart pump at BRAIN conference
Von Vascular has announced the first international presentation of data on its Algo smart pump at the 2024 BRAIN conference. The preclinical studies—presented by Von Vascular chief executive officer (CEO) Manning Hanser on behalf of principal investigators Brian Jankowitz (Edison, USA) and Robert Starke (Miami, USA)—demonstrated the device’s potential to improve outcomes in mechanical thrombectomy procedures for acute ischaemic stroke patients.
3. RapidPulse receives US FDA approval for IDE study of innovative cyclic aspiration system
RapidPulse has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed that the company can begin enrolment in an investigational device exemption (IDE) study of its novel and precise cyclic aspiration system. This will allow US and European patient enrolment in 2025 as part of a study designed to demonstrate that RapidPulse’s patented method of precisely pulsed aspiration is safe and effective in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke.
4. Endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms—is under 5mm a ‘go’ or ‘no-go’ area?
In light of recently presented and generally positive findings from the COAST study, which deemed coiling to be safe in the treatment of small (<5mm) intracranial aneurysms, Victor Volovici (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) outlines existing clinical data, and weighs up the real-world pros and cons of this approach.
5. Novel EVD catheter scoops US$100,000 SVINnovation prize
A novel catheter intended to improve on the tools currently available in neurosurgical external ventricular drain (EVD) placement was awarded a US$100,000 grand prize at the 2024 SVIN annual meeting. The SoundPass device—conceived and developed by a team of medical students from the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, USA)—was ultimately selected by an entrepreneurial panel of judges to receive this award ahead of three other technologies also showcased during the meeting’s SVINnovation session.
6. Fluid Biomed raises US$27 million to advance ‘world-first’ bioabsorbable stent in brain aneurysm treatment
Fluid Biomed has announced the close of an oversubscribed US$27 million Series A equity financing co-led by Amplitude Ventures and an undisclosed major strategic partner. New participants in the investment syndicate include IAG Capital Partners and LifeArc Ventures, as well as returning investors ShangBay Capital and METIS Innovative.
7. Rescue stenting linked to improved functional independence versus thrombectomy alone in real-world registry
In patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke caused by intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS), rescue stenting following mechanical thrombectomy appears to lead to higher rates of successful reperfusion and 90-day functional independence—but also an increased occurrence of procedural complications—as compared to thrombectomy alone. These are among key findings of the RESCUE-ICAS registry, from which results were recently presented for the first time at the 2024 SVIN annual meeting.
8. BRAIN 2024: ICAD confronted as globally relevant yet under-addressed stroke aetiology
While intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is often cited in the context of its greater prevalence among patients in China and other parts of Asia, discussions at the recent BRAIN conference emphasised its relevance as an underlying—and also under-addressed—cause of ischaemic stroke across many global regions.
9. SELECT LATE trial gets US$7 million funding boost to evaluate stroke thrombectomy beyond 24 hours
University Hospitals (UH) Cleveland Medical Center in Cleveland, USA has been awarded US$7 million in research funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to evaluate endovascular thrombectomy in patients presenting more than 24 hours from time last known well via the global SELECT LATE clinical trial.
10. “The race is on”: enthusiasm over neuroprotection endures despite historic failures
“The race is on—don’t miss the bus!”, were the words of David Liebeskind (Los Angeles, USA) as he discussed the apparent promise of cytoprotection in acute ischaemic stroke care during a session at the 2024 SVIN annual meeting.
