Mechanical thrombectomy with the Amplatz device: human experience.
OBJECTIVE
The authors present their early experience of mechanical arterial and graft thrombectomy with the Amplatz thrombectomy device.


METHODS
Preliminary data are presented for 14 patients treated with the Amplatz thrombectomy catheter. The procedure was carried out in 10 arterial polytetrafluorethylene grafts, in two native arteries, and in two patients with venous thrombosis.


RESULTS
The thrombectomy catheter completely removed the clot in 11 patients and partially removed clot in three patients. Mean thrombectomy time was 2 minutes 45 seconds. Despite distal blood pressure cuff occlusion, two instances of insignificant distal embolization occurred. Mechanical clot dissolution has consistently produced hemolysis without adverse clinical effects. The underlying causative factors such as stenoses were treated by means of angioplasty, atherectomy, or surgical endarterectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Mechanical thrombectomy with this device is a new, effective technique and can rapidly remove the thrombus. From preliminary results, the device seems most promising in clearing out thrombi in occluded synthetic femoral-to-popliteal bypass grafts. The device could have wider application if it were steerable and if it could be introduced from the contralateral approach.
Tadavarthy
S M
SM
Minneapolis Heart Institute, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, MN 55407.
Murray
P D
PD
Inampudi
S
S
Nazarian
G K
GK
Amplatz
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene