Mechanical thrombolysis with the Amplatz thrombectomy catheter

• Published in: RöFo : Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebende Verfahren Vol. 165; no. 4; p. 375
• Main Authors: Müller-Hülsbeck, S, Link, J, Schwarzenberg, H, Brossmann, I, Heller, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-10-1996
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angioplasty, Balloon; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Leg - blood supply; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Dialysis; Stents; Thrombectomy - instrumentation; Thrombosis - surgery; Thrombosis - therapy; Time Factors
• ISSN: 1438-9029
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1015772

To determine the efficiency of the Amplatz thrombectomy device (ATD) in thromboembolic occlusions of lower limb arteries and haemodialysis shunts.
9 patients (mean age 61 years) with either occluded native leg arteries (n = 7) or haemodialysis graft access (n = 2) were treated with the ATD. Mean length of occlusion was 10 +/- 4.47 cm.
The occlusions were primarily successfully recanalized by ATD within 44 +/- 17 seconds. Remaining stenoses were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA, n = 6) and an additional implantation of a vascular stent (n = 3). The ankle-brachial-index (ABI) increased from 0.46 +/- 0.37 to 0.81 +/- 0.2 within 24 hours after intervention. In the first month ABI measured 0.9 +/- 0.15 and decreased from 0.7 +/- 0.23 after three months to 0.72 +/- 0.26 within 6 months. After 5 months, a shunt occlusion and a native leq artery occlusion appeared.
Thrombolysis by ATD is a safe, feasible and simple procedure. There are no contraindications. No complications were seen.