Insights from Dr. Gelmini on Vesalio NEVA NET™: A new step in neurovascular care

In this video, Dr. Gelmini, interventional neuroradiologist at the University Hospital Center of Namur (Belgium), takes you inside the angiography suite where acute strokes are treated.  He explains how mechanical thrombectomy using the Vesalio NEVA NET™ stent retriever can quickly restore cerebral blood flow, thereby promoting better clinical recovery for patients.

Interventional neuroradiology covers a broad spectrum; from vascular malformations and aneurysms to acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In an ischemic stroke, a blood clot (thrombus) blocks a cerebral artery, preventing adequate blood flow to the brain. Thrombectomy removes the clot endovascularly, restoring circulation.

Clinical studies and practical experience confirm two key principles highlighted by Dr. Gelmini:

• Rapid recanalization is crucial for clinical recovery.
• First-pass success (successful reopening on the first attempt) correlates with better patient outcomes.

Dr. Gelmini has been working with the NEVA family for six years. He first gained experience at CHU Reims with the early generations of NEVA. The reasons he continues to use them include:

• High radial force combined with excellent navigability: firm apposition on the clot without compromising maneuverability.
• “Drop-zone” design: facilitates controlled clot capture and traction.

The NEVA NET™ represents the next generation of the device, featuring an integrated distal filter.
As the stent deploys within the clot, micro-emboli can become dislodged.

The NET filter captures these microclots, helping to prevent distal embolization, particularly in vascular segments that are difficult to reaccess quickly.

According to Dr. Gelmini, the NEVA NET™ delivers the following benefits in clinical practice:

• More frequent first-pass recanalization, thanks to the combination of radial force and the distal filter.
• Consistent performance with hard thrombi and calcified lesions (e.g., in older patients or those with stenoses), where additional radial force is required.
• Improved clinical outcomes, as not only the main vessels are reopened (angiographic result), but micro-emboli are also captured , preventing residual neurological damage that could otherwise occur.

Dr. Gelmini notes that Vesalio actively listens to clinical feedback. While the first generations of stent retrievers were relatively stiff in highly tortuous vessels, the second generation has been significantly refined ; without compromising the necessary radial force.

Regarding his collaboration with Duomed, Dr. Gelmini is particularly positive:

• Attentive and respectful support, aligned with the pace of the clinical environment, with clear understanding of emergencies and extended procedures.
• Timely and appropriate presence in the angiography suite, providing the right information at the right moment.
• A continuous pursuit of innovative solutions aimed at enhancing patient safety and procedural efficiency.