Original Research Article

Microguidewire stiffness for microcatheter and aspiration catheter navigation in tortuous vessels - 

Summary:
This study investigated how microguidewire stiffness affects catheter navigation in tortuous intracranial vessels using in-vitro silicone models. Three microguidewires of similar construction but different stiffness (soft, standard, support) were tested. In Experiment 1, delivery of a 0.021″ microcatheter into an acutely angled M2 branch was evaluated. In Experiment 2, a 0.071″ aspiration catheter was advanced through a highly tortuous internal carotid artery model. Measurements included maximum pushing force and wire kickback length. Stiffer wires required less pushing force and showed shorter kickback, indicating greater distal support and improved system stability. These findings demonstrate that wire stiffness plays a significant role in catheter trackability and may help operators optimize device selection and navigation strategies, particularly in challenging cerebrovascular anatomy.

Impression:
This study evaluated how microguidewire stiffness affects catheter navigation in tortuous intracranial vessels using silicone models. Three wires (soft, standard, support) were tested with a 0.021″ microcatheter in an acutely angled M2 branch and a 0.071″ aspiration catheter in a highly tortuous ICA model. Stiffer wires required less pushing force and showed shorter kickback, providing better distal support and system stability. These results suggest that wire stiffness significantly influences catheter trackability and may guide device selection in challenging anatomy. (Commented by: Shinichi Yoshimura, Hyogo Medical University, Japan)

From Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

View at: https://doi.org/10.1177/15910199251352883

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