Early Experience With the Dual-Mode Radial-Access Catheter Armadillo in Neuroendovascular Procedures via the Radial Approach: A Multicenter Study of 71 Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The transradial approach is increasingly being adopted by neurointerventionalists after several studies showed its safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction. However, the use of non-radial-specific devices for transradial procedures is a major barrier for transradial adoption. In this study, we aim to demonstrate the efficacy, technical feasibility, and safety of the Armadillo dual-mode guide catheter (Q'Apel Medical Inc.) as a radial-specific catheter in various neurovascular pathologies.

METHODS

This is a multicenter retrospective study of 71 patients who underwent neurointerventional procedures via the transradial route using the Armadillo guide catheter between 2021 and 2023.

RESULTS

Our study cohort comprised 71 patients, mostly females (n = 33, 63.5%) with a mean age of 59.1 ± 13.5 years. 13 (18.3%) patients underwent carotid artery stenting and angioplasty, 39 (54.9%) aneurysm treatment, 9 (12.7%) vascular malformation embolization, 5 (7.0%) tumor embolization, and 5 (7.0%) middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas. The mean procedure time was 61.4 ± 33.5 min, mean fluoro time was 29.6 ± 14.4 min, and mean radiation exposure was 93.3 ± 56.3 Gy cm2. During the procedures, 70 (98.6%) target vessels were successfully catheterized. The rate of access site complications was 0%, and 1 (1.4%) patient required conversion to the transfemoral route.

CONCLUSION

The use of the Armadillo catheter showed promising outcomes in terms of safety, effectiveness, and technical feasibility in various neuroendovascular procedures, demonstrating a high success rate and low morbidity rate.