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

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

doi:10.1161/SVIN.124.001702

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

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

Fawaz Al-Mufti, Mohamed Elfil, Abdallah Abbas, Haneen Sabet, Hazem S Ghaith, Ariel Sacknovitz, Ankita Jain, Victor Urrutia, Nabeel Herial, Gabor Toth, …

Stroke: vascular and interventional neurology, Vol.5(6), e001702

11/14/2025

DOI: 10.1161/SVIN.124.001702

PMCID: PMC12697599

PMID: 41608732

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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.

Systematic review

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Title: Subtitle: Innovations in Thrombectomy Training: A Systematic Review and Expert Recommendations from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology‐Mission Thrombectomy Initiative
Creators: Fawaz Al-Mufti - Westchester Medical Center
Mohamed Elfil - Jackson Health System
Abdallah Abbas - Al-Azhar University
Haneen Sabet - South Valley University
Hazem S Ghaith - Al-Azhar University
Ariel Sacknovitz - Westchester Medical Center
Ankita Jain - Westchester Medical Center
Victor Urrutia - Johns Hopkins University
Nabeel Herial - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Gabor Toth - Cleveland Clinic
Mohamad El-Ghanem - University of Houston
Krishna Amuluru - Ascension
Viktor C Szeder - University of California, Los Angeles
Jonathan Crowe - University of Virginia Hospital
Karol Budohoski - University of Utah Health Care
Zurab Nadareishvili - Virginia Hospital Center
Kaustubh Limaye - Indiana University
Fazeel Siddiqui - University of Michigan
Boris Pabon - Universidad de Antioquia
Ossama Yassin Mansour - Alexandria University
Atilla Ozcan Ozdemir - Eskişehir Osmangazi University
Houman Khosravani - University of Toronto
Hamza Shaikh - Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Nishita Singh - University of Calgary
Hesham Masoud - State University of New York
Sushanth R Aroor - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Shashvat Desai - Barrow Neurological Institute
Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez - University of Iowa
Fredrick Echols - Society of Interventional Radiology
Thanh N Nguyen - Boston University
Pankajavalli Ramakrishnan - Westchester Medical Center
Priyank Khandelwal - Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Dileep R Yavagal - Jackson Health System
Kaiz Asif - University of Illinois System
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Stroke: vascular and interventional neurology, Vol.5(6), e001702
DOI: 10.1161/SVIN.124.001702
PMID: 41608732
PMCID: PMC12697599
NLM abbreviation: Stroke Vasc Interv Neurol
ISSN: 2694-5746
eISSN: 2694-5746
Publisher: American Heart Association
Grant note: Rutgers University
This research could not have been possible without the incredible support from the Mission Thrombectomy team and the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.
Language: English
Date published: 11/14/2025
Academic Unit: Neurology; Radiology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurosurgery
Record Identifier: 9985033760202771

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