Innovations in Thrombectomy Training: A Systematic Review and Expert Recommendations from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology-Mission Thrombectomy Initiative

Authors

• Fawaz Al-Mufti
• Mohamed Elfil
• Abdallah Abbas
• Haneen Sabet
• Hazem S Ghaith
• Ariel Sacknovitz
• Ankita Jain
• Victor Urrutia
• Nabeel Herial
• Gabor Toth
• Mohamad El-Ghanem
• Krishna Amuluru
• Viktor C Szeder
• Jonathan Crowe
• Karol Budohoski
• Zurab Nadareishvili
• Kaustubh Limaye
• Fazeel Siddiqui
• Boris Pabon
• Ossama Yassin Mansour
• Atilla Ozcan Ozdemir
• Houman Khosravani
• Hamza Shaikh
• Nishita Singh
• Hesham Masoud
• Sushanth R Aroor
• Shashvat Desai
• Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez
• Fredrick Echols
• Thanh N Nguyen
• Pankajavalli Ramakrishnan
• Priyank Khandelwal
• Dileep R Yavagal
• Kaiz Asif

Language

English

Publication Date

11-1-2025

Journal

STROKE: Vascular and Interventional Neurology

DOI

10.1161/SVIN.124.001702

PMID

41608732

PMCID

PMC12697599

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

11-14-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy is a critical intervention for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. However, significant barriers remain in its widespread implementation, particularly in low- to middle-income countries, including a shortage of trained physicians and limited access to advanced medical technologies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate current mechanical thrombectomy training methodologies and assess their effectiveness in improving procedural skills among neurointerventional teams.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eight studies were included, with 3 studies eligible for meta-analysis. We assessed training approaches, participant demographics, and procedural outcomes using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool and performed statistical analysis using OpenMetaAnalyst software.

Results: Various training modalities, including virtual reality simulations and hands-on workshops, consistently demonstrated positive effects on procedural skills and professional confidence, demonstrating significant improvements across multiple metrics. Our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed statistically significant reductions in total procedure time (average decrease of 17.84 minutes, 95% CI: [-22.19 to -13.48]), number of handling errors (decreased by 6.34 errors, 95% CI: [-13.16 to 0.48]), contrast volume (decreased by 27.35 mL, 95% CI: [-45.11 to -9.60]), and fluoroscopy time (reduced by 8.07 minutes, 95% CI: [-10.71 to -5.44]). Participants showed increased procedural steps completed, with an average increase of 6.52 steps (95% CI: [3.99-9.05]).

Conclusion: Structured, simulation-based mechanical thrombectomy training programs can significantly enhance procedural skills, clinical decision-making, and professional confidence among neurointerventional teams, potentially improving stroke care.

Keywords

mission thrombectomy, stroke, thrombectomy, training, virtual reality

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Al-Mufti, Fawaz; Elfil, Mohamed; Abbas, Abdallah; et al., "Innovations in Thrombectomy Training: A Systematic Review and Expert Recommendations from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology-Mission Thrombectomy Initiative" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 3751.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/3751