A Comparison of Cyclic Manual Direct Aspiration Thrombectomy (Plunger Technique) vs. Static Manual Direct Aspiration Thrombectomy for Treatment of Acute Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

NCT ID: NCT07231380

Last Updated: 2026-01-08

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

500 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-03-01

Study Completion Date

2027-03-01

Brief Summary

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This prospective, randomized controlled trial will compare two manual aspiration techniques for treating acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion: cyclic aspiration (Plunger technique) and static aspiration. Both techniques use FDA-approved devices (Raptor Aspiration Catheters and VacLok syringes) and are standard of care. Approximately 500 participants across 20 sites will be randomized to one of the two techniques. The primary endpoint is First Pass Effect (TICI 2c/3 after first attempt), with secondary endpoints including overall recanalization and 90-day functional outcomes. Results will address a critical gap in optimizing aspiration thrombectomy techniques.

Detailed Description

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This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, multi-center trial designed to compare two manual aspiration thrombectomy techniques for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO):

Cyclic Manual Aspiration (Plunger Technique): A rhythmic, cyclic application of suction, coined by Principal Investigator Dr. Michael Froehler.

Static Manual Aspiration: Continuous suction without modulation.

Both techniques will utilize FDA-approved devices, the Raptor Aspiration Catheter and VacLok Syringe which are routinely employed in clinical practice for stroke treatment. While both approaches are widely accepted, there is currently limited comparative data evaluating their relative efficacy and safety.

The study will enroll approximately 500 participants across 20 sites. Eligible patients will present with acute ischemic stroke involving the terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) or M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Participants will be randomized centrally in a 1:1 ratio to one of the two aspiration techniques.

Primary Endpoint:

First Pass Effect (FPE): Defined as achieving a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of 2c or 3 following the first attempt at clot removal.

Secondary Endpoints:

Overall recanalization rates 90-day functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale) Successful catheter navigation to the occlusion site Procedural efficiency metrics

Both techniques are considered standard of care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and other participating institutions. The study does not introduce any novel devices or untested procedures; therefore, risks to participants are minimal and comparable to routine thrombectomy procedures.

This trial addresses a critical gap in current knowledge regarding optimal manual aspiration techniques for direct aspiration thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. Results will provide high-quality evidence to inform best practices, potentially improving procedural efficiency and patient outcomes.

Conditions

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Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Large Vessel Occlusion

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Plunger Technique arm

Participants randomized to this arm will undergo cyclic manual aspiration thrombectomy, also known as the Plunger Technique. This technique involves rhythmic, cyclic application of suction using FDA-approved devices: the Raptor Aspiration Catheter and VacLok Syringe, to remove thrombus in cases of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (terminal ICA or M1 segment of MCA).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Plunger Technique

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Rhythmic, cyclic application of suction using FDA-approved devices (Raptor Aspiration Catheter and VacLok Syringe) for clot removal in acute ischemic stroke.

Manual Static Aspiration Arm

Participants randomized to this arm will undergo static manual aspiration thrombectomy, which involves continuous suction without modulation. The procedure will use FDA-approved devices: the Raptor Aspiration Catheter and VacLok Syringe, to remove thrombus in cases of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (terminal ICA or M1 segment of MCA).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Static Manual Aspiration Thrombectomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Continuous suction without modulation using FDA-approved devices (Raptor Aspiration Catheter and VacLok Syringe) for clot removal in acute ischemic stroke.

Interventions

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Plunger Technique

Rhythmic, cyclic application of suction using FDA-approved devices (Raptor Aspiration Catheter and VacLok Syringe) for clot removal in acute ischemic stroke.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Static Manual Aspiration Thrombectomy

Continuous suction without modulation using FDA-approved devices (Raptor Aspiration Catheter and VacLok Syringe) for clot removal in acute ischemic stroke.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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Cyclic Manual Aspiration Thrombectomy

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

\- Acute ischemic stroke due to occlusion of the terminal ICA or M1 segment of the MCA, Treatment can be initiated within 24 hours of symptom onset, Age 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria

* Evidence of acute intracranial hemorrhage prior to treatment, Failure to obtain informed consent
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Balt USA

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Michael Froehler

Principle Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

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Michael T Froehler

Role: CONTACT

6154210300

Tejeswini Siva Sathya

Role: CONTACT

References

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Jablonska M, Li J, Tiberi R, Bayraktar EA, Bilgin C, Tomasello A, Ribo M. Cyclic Aspiration in Mechanical Thrombectomy: Influencing Factors and Experimental Validation. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2024 Nov 7;45(11):1708-1715. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A8369.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 38844372 (View on PubMed)

Poulos DA, Keith JS, Froehler MT, Good BC. Experimental evaluation of the plunger technique: A method of cyclic manual aspiration thrombectomy for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Interv Neuroradiol. 2024 Feb 6:15910199241230364. doi: 10.1177/15910199241230364. Online ahead of print.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 38321875 (View on PubMed)

Marnat G, Barreau X, Detraz L, Bourcier R, Gory B, Sgreccia A, Gariel F, Berge J, Menegon P, Kyheng M, Labreuche J, Consoli A, Blanc R, Lapergue B; ETIS Investigators. First-Line Sofia Aspiration Thrombectomy Approach within the Endovascular Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Multicentric Registry: Efficacy, Safety, and Predictive Factors of Success. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2019 Jun;40(6):1006-1012. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A6074. Epub 2019 May 23.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31122921 (View on PubMed)

Kang DH, Kim BM, Heo JH, Nam HS, Kim YD, Hwang YH, Kim YW, Kim DJ, Kim JW, Baek JH, Kim YS. Effects of first pass recanalization on outcomes of contact aspiration thrombectomy. J Neurointerv Surg. 2020 May;12(5):466-470. doi: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2019-015221. Epub 2019 Sep 28.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31563889 (View on PubMed)

Gross BA, Jadhav AP, Jovin TG, Jankowitz BT. Dump the pump: manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) with a syringe is technically effective, expeditious, and cost-efficient. J Neurointerv Surg. 2018 Apr;10(4):354-357. doi: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2017-013520. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29127194 (View on PubMed)

Arslanian RA, Marosfoi M, Caroff J, King RM, Raskett C, Puri AS, Gounis MJ, Chueh JY. Complete clot ingestion with cyclical ADAPT increases first-pass recanalization and reduces distal embolization. J Neurointerv Surg. 2019 Sep;11(9):931-936. doi: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-014625. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 30718384 (View on PubMed)

Froehler MT. Comparison of Vacuum Pressures and Forces Generated by Different Catheters and Pumps for Aspiration Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke. Interv Neurol. 2017 Oct;6(3-4):199-206. doi: 10.1159/000475478. Epub 2017 May 18.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29118797 (View on PubMed)

Lapergue B, Blanc R, Gory B, Labreuche J, Duhamel A, Marnat G, Saleme S, Costalat V, Bracard S, Desal H, Mazighi M, Consoli A, Piotin M; ASTER Trial Investigators. Effect of Endovascular Contact Aspiration vs Stent Retriever on Revascularization in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke and Large Vessel Occlusion: The ASTER Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017 Aug 1;318(5):443-452. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.9644.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 28763550 (View on PubMed)

Prabhakaran S, Ruff I, Bernstein RA. Acute stroke intervention: a systematic review. JAMA. 2015 Apr 14;313(14):1451-62. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.3058.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 25871671 (View on PubMed)

Campbell BCV, Donnan GA, Lees KR, Hacke W, Khatri P, Hill MD, Goyal M, Mitchell PJ, Saver JL, Diener HC, Davis SM. Endovascular stent thrombectomy: the new standard of care for large vessel ischaemic stroke. Lancet Neurol. 2015 Aug;14(8):846-854. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00140-4. Epub 2015 Jun 25.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26119323 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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251059

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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