title: Theoretical considerations and in vitro results for the development of percutaneous transcatheter balloon embolectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prove the feasibility of performing percutaneous transcatheter embolectomy using a funnel-shaped catheter tip and balloon embolectomy catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  A theoretical model is described to assess the influence of the diameter of an introductory device and coaxially introduced embolectomy catheter. A funnel-shaped catheter tip was attached to 7F, 8F, and 9F introductory sheaths. In vitro embolectomy of 5 g and 12 g thrombi was performed with 3F and 4F embolectomy catheters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of extractions required was significantly related to the ratio of the diameters of the sheaths and embolectomy catheter shafts. The combination of a 7F sheath with a 4F embolectomy catheter required the greatest number of extractions (8.4 +/- 1.7). The least number of extractions was needed for the combination of a 9F sheath with 4F and 3F embolectomy catheters (1.6 +/- 0.7 and 1.8 +/- 0.4, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that percutaneous embolectomy with balloon embolectomy catheters is feasible. However, further research is necessary before the final catheter design is chosen.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brossmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jahnke
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Onnasch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Link
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller-Hülsbeck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Béress
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017128:Embolectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000295:instrumentation