New method of thrombus preparation using a fluid model for evaluation of thrombectomy devices in a swine model

Abstract Background Mechanical thrombectomy is a promising new modality of interventional stroke treatment. Preparation of thrombus is a very important step for the evaluation of the mechanical thrombectomy devices. The objective of this study was to explore a new method of thrombus preparation with fluid model (FM) for assessment of thrombectomy devices used in the recanalization of acute ischemic stroke. Methods Elongation test and catheter injection test were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of thrombi prepared by FM and static model (SM). Histological structures of two artificial clots and specimens of stroke patients were compared. Radiopacity of thrombus made by FM was evaluated in a swine embolization model. Results The maximum tensile length of thrombi prepared by FM and SM were significantly higher (4.28 ± 0.23 cm vs 3.16 ± 0.13 cm, P < 0.01) and showed less breakage on catheter injection test (13% vs 60%, P < 0.05). Histological features of thrombi prepared by FM showed mixed thrombus structure, similar to thromboemboli retrieved from acute stroke patients, while clots generated by SM were replete with erythrocytes. A total of twelve vessels in two swine were successfully occluded (TIMI 0 or 1), with sufficient radiopacity of each injected thrombus. Conclusion The thrombus prepared by FM had good mechanical stability, sufficient radiopacity, and similar histological structure of thromboemboli retrieved from stroke patients, which make it possible to be used in the evaluation of thrombectomy devices.