SUPERSTAR: Aspiration vs. Stent Retriever in Anterior Circulation LVO

This is a multicenter, open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomized controlled trial comparing super large bore catheter aspiration versus stent retriever thrombectomy as the first-line technique for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke. Eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke due to internal carotid artery intracranial segment and/or middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion will be randomized 1:1 to receive either aspiration using a super large bore catheter (inner diameter ≥0.080 inch) or stent retriever thrombectomy (allowing balloon guiding catheters or intermediate catheters with inner diameter \<0.080 inch). The primary outcome is the ordinal modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days post-procedure. Key secondary outcomes include the proportion of patients with mRS 0-2 at 90 days, change in NIHSS at 24 hours and 7 days, and various angiographic and safety endpoints. The trial plans to enroll 708 patients across approximately 30 centers in China. The total study duration is 24-36 months, with each patient participating for 3 months.

NCT Number	NCT07555977
Lead Sponsor	Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital
Conditions	Acute Ischemic Stroke
Enrollment	708 participants
Start Date	2026-07-15
Primary Completion	2027-12-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2028-03-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-29