Balloon guide catheter versus conventional guide catheter for clot removal in ischemic stroke
Official title: Balloon Guide Versus Conventional Guide Catheter in Stroke Thrombectomy
Run by University of South Florida · NCT07085390 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether a balloon guide catheter or a conventional guide catheter works better for adults having a thrombectomy to treat an acute ischemic stroke.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 186 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of South Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Tampa, Florida and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 27, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 2027 |
| Study ends | August 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07085390 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults (age 18 or older) with a confirmed large vessel occlusion who are undergoing a thrombectomy at the enrolling hospital and can provide informed consent or have a legally authorized representative do so.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without a large vessel occlusion, those who have spontaneous recanalization before the procedure, or those unable to provide consent are unlikely to benefit from participating.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults with an acute ischemic stroke due to a large vessel occlusion who are undergoing a mechanical thrombectomy at the enrolling hospital will have their procedure performed using either a balloon guide catheter or a conventional (non-balloon) guide catheter. Routine clinical data, imaging, and procedural details will be collected to compare metrics such as time to restore blood flow, technical success, and clinical outcomes. Participants receive standard-of-care thrombectomy and provide consent and some questionnaire information; no additional experimental treatment is given beyond the catheter type. The trial aims to clarify the technical, clinical, and procedural differences between the two catheter approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify a catheter approach that shortens time to reopen the blocked artery, improves chances of recovery, and reduces procedure-related complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational studies and some randomized data suggest balloon guide catheters may improve first-pass recanalization and reduce distal embolization, but findings have been mixed and definitive head-to-head evidence is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Patient is undergoing a stroke thrombectomy procedure at the enrolling hospital * Patient or the legally authorized representative are able to provide signed informed cosent for the study * Patient is not enrolled in another clinical trial that may interfere with the results or interpretation of this study * Identification of a Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) on imaging Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of signed informed consent from the patient or legally authorized representative * Spontanous recanalization or any other reason in which the mechanical thrombectomy procedure would be terminated
Where it's running
-
University of South Florida (USF)
Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting -
University of Texas Health - Houston
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.