Imperative Care recently announced the publication of clinical data in the journal Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) detailing the use of its Zoom aspiration catheters in patients with large and medium vessel occlusion stroke.
Data from an independent study evaluating real-world experiences and associated costs of thrombectomy procedures before and after the introduction of the Zoom aspiration catheters at a comprehensive stroke centre were published in a paper, titled “Use of angled-tip aspiration catheters is associated with a lower cost of thrombectomy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke secondary to large and medium vessel occlusions”.
Conducted by Mohamad Ezzeldin (HCA Kingwood Medical Center, Houston, USA) and colleagues, the 163-patient study demonstrated significant benefits, including a 20% cost reduction and shorter time to achieve reperfusion following the introduction of the Zoom aspiration catheters. That is according to a recent press release from Imperative.
“The Zoom aspiration catheters have changed how I treat ischaemic stroke,” said Ezzeldin. “In my practice, I have tried numerous flat-tip aspiration catheters but remained reliant on a combined technique. Zoom has enabled me to reduce my stent-retriever utilisation by almost half, making my mechanical thrombectomy procedures less costly, simpler and more efficient.”
In the study, patients were divided into two groups: those who were treated during the 18-month period prior to the institution adopting the Zoom aspiration catheters (58%), and those who were treated after the introduction of the Zoom aspiration catheters (42%). Imperative states that the full portfolio of the angled-tip Zoom aspiration catheters was utilised in this study, which includes a range of purposefully designed, vessel-matching reperfusion catheters—Zoom 35, 45, 55 and 71.
Results from the study demonstrated a significant reduction of approximately 20% in mean thrombectomy procedure cost—US$9,728 in patients in the post-Zoom group compared to US$12,127 in the pre-Zoom group (p=0.002). Additionally, mean procedural cost when using an aspiration-first technique supported by the Zoom aspiration catheters was approximately 57% lower (US$5,754) than a combined aspiration-stent retriever approach (US$13,498; p<0.001).
Findings from the study also indicated that patients who received treatment following the adoption of the Zoom aspiration catheters experienced shorter times to achieve thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) ≥2b reperfusion by 28% (38 vs 53 minutes, p=0.018) as well as shorter times to achieve TICI ≥2c reperfusion (45 vs 69 minutes, p=0.042); shorter times from puncture to procedure completion by 26% (46 vs 62 minutes, p=0.022); and no difference in the rate of haemorrhage compared to patients treated before the introduction of the Zoom aspiration catheters.
“These findings underscore the value of an aspiration-first technique supported by the Zoom aspiration catheters, providing both economic advantages and faster procedure times while maintaining efficacy in patients with ischaemic stroke,” Ezzeldin noted.
“We are pleased to see this foundational evidence support the potential cost benefits of the Zoom aspiration catheters in treating patients with acute ischaemic stroke,” added Ariel Sutton, general manager of Imperative’s stroke business. “We believe the unique features of the Zoom aspiration catheters, such as proven trackability and the ability to engage clot with the angled tip, allow for improvements in procedural outcomes. These data are consistent with our growing body of clinical evidence demonstrating the Zoom stroke solution is associated with faster and better reperfusion, while using fewer devices.”
