Chaperon™ Balloon Guide Catheter: Proximal Flow Arrest for Optimal Stroke Thrombectomy Outcomes
By Modern Medical Solutions Editorial Team
The Chaperon™ from MicroVention Terumo is a balloon guide catheter that occludes the cervical ICA during mechanical thrombectomy, creating proximal flow arrest that prevents distal embolization of dislodged thrombus fragments during stent-retriever or aspiration clot extraction, independently associated with higher first-pass recanalization rates in published stroke literature.
What Is the Chaperon™ Balloon Guide Catheter?
The Chaperon™ is a balloon guide catheter (BGC) from MicroVention Terumo for acute ischaemic stroke mechanical thrombectomy and complex elective neurointerventional procedures requiring proximal flow control. It differs from a conventional guide catheter by incorporating an inflatable compliant balloon near its distal tip that occludes the target artery — typically the cervical ICA — stopping anterograde arterial flow distal to the balloon during clot retrieval.
This flow arrest is the Chaperon’s key clinical benefit. Without proximal arrest, anterograde flow carries dislodged thrombus fragments downstream into the intracranial circulation, creating new distal emboli during retrieval. With the balloon inflated and flow arrested, fragments are captured by aspiration through the guide catheter lumen rather than embolising distally. Multiple prospective and retrospective studies confirm BGC use during LVO thrombectomy is independently associated with higher first-pass recanalization rates and better clinical outcomes.
Technical Specifications
The Chaperon is compatible with standard 8F guide catheter access systems and accommodates SOFIA 5F, 6F, and 88 intermediate catheters, and all Headway microcatheters without restriction. The inflatable compliant balloon at the distal tip is sized to occlude the cervical ICA across a range of vessel diameters; inflation volume is controlled by the assistant from the hub inflation port.
The catheter body provides sufficient column strength for standard arch and cervical vessel navigation, with a hydrophilic outer coating and torqueable shaft for directional control.
SOLUMBRA with Chaperon, SOFIA, and ERIC
The optimal stroke thrombectomy configuration — Chaperon BGC + SOFIA 88 aspiration + ERIC stent retriever — combines proximal flow arrest, maximum-bore aspiration, and interlinked spherical cage thrombus integration in a single procedure. The Chaperon creates the upstream haemodynamic isolation; SOFIA 88 provides the aspiration face; ERIC captures the thrombus mechanically. Published SOLUMBRA series using BGC consistently show higher first-pass efficacy than SOLUMBRA without BGC.
Inflate the Chaperon balloon only when the retrieval device is ready for withdrawal. Maintain inflation throughout the complete retrieval sequence until the device is confirmed within the guide catheter lumen. Apply continuous aspiration through the Chaperon guide lumen during retrieval to capture any thrombus fragments liberated during withdrawal.
Technique Tips
Position Chaperon 2–3 cm below the carotid bifurcation to ensure effective ICA occlusion while preserving the external carotid artery origin. Flush the guide catheter immediately after balloon deflation to clear aspirated material from the lumen before any further catheter advancement.
If the Chaperon balloon cannot achieve ICA occlusion due to vessel size mismatch or calcification, proceed without flow arrest rather than over-inflating the balloon — barotrauma from over-inflation in a calcified vessel carries dissection risk that outweighs the benefit.
Ordering Through Modern Medical Solutions
Modern Medical Solutions is the authorised MicroVention Terumo distributor for Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Chaperon is available for stroke thrombectomy programmes in Tajikistan and Afghanistan alongside SOFIA aspiration catheters and ERIC stent retrievers.
Contact Modern Medical Solutions to build a complete stroke thrombectomy kit including Chaperon, SOFIA 88, ERIC, and Headway 17 — sourced from a single regional partner.
