Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
BACKGROUND The Armadillo (Q'Apel Medical Inc., Fremont, CA) is a novel bimodal guide catheter, combining properties of a long support sheath with a large‐bore distal access catheter, whose stiffness can be adjusted from “track” mode during navigation to “support” mode for intervention. The main objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of the Armadillo for intracranial interventions via the transfemoral approach. METHODS This is a retrospective study of our initial Armadillo experience, composed of all patients who underwent an intracranial intervention using the Armadillo via the transfemoral route, between December 2022 and December 2023, at a single institution. Transvenous, external carotid, and stroke‐related interventions were excluded. RESULTS Of 62 total interventions with the Armadillo catheter, 58 procedures (53/58 91.4% for aneurysms, 3/58 5.6% for arteriovenous malformations, and 2/58 3.4% for intracranial stenosis) in 55 patients (mean age, 57.2 standrad deviation (SD), 12.4 years; 46/55 83.6% female sex) met study criteria. Most interventions were in the anterior circulation (51/58 87.9%) and significant carotid or vertebral artery tortuosity was encountered in 10 of 58 (17.2%) cases. The Armadillo was the primary sheath in 57/58 (98.3%) cases, and 50/58 (86.2%) received vasodilator for vasospasm prophylaxis prior to distal navigation. The Armadillo was successfully navigated to the intended target location in 52 of 58 (89.7%) procedures, predominantly over a macro‐guidewire alone (41/58 70.7%). The need for a triaxial system during the intervention was obviated in 36 of 58 (62.1%) procedures, and all interventions were completed successfully without having to exchange for an alternate support catheter. There were no Armadillo‐related complications. CONCLUSION The Armadillo was highly effective as a long guide sheath for intracranial interventions via the transfemoral route, with a high rate of successful distal navigation and no device‐related complications.
Katz et al. (Thu,) studied this question.