Effectiveness of Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy for Acute or Subacute Thromboembolism in Infrainguinal Arteries

• Published in: Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology 2017, 76(6), , pp.386-394
• Main Authors: Cha, Jung Guen, Kim, Chan Sun, Kim, Young Hwan, Kim, See Hyung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: angiography; endovascular procedures; mechanical thrombolysis; peripheral arterial disease; thrombolytic therapy; 방사선과학
• ISSN: 1738-2637; 2288-2928; 1738-2637; 2951-0805
• DOI: 10.3348/jksr.2017.76.6.386

Purpose To report the feasibility and long-term clinical outcome of percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy for treating acute or subacute arterial thromboembolism in the infrainguinal arteries. Materials and Methods Thirty limbs of 29 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study between January 2004 and March 2014. Nine limbs underwent overnight catheter-directed thrombolysis followed by percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT). Eighteen limbs underwent PAT with adjunctive selective intra-arterial thrombolysis in a single session. The remaining three limbs underwent PAT alone. Balloon angioplasty (n = 16) or stent placement (n = 3) was performed as required. In-hospital mortality and complications were estimated. The primary patency rate and the rate of freedom from reintervention were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Technical success was achieved in 28 limbs. Clinical success was achieved in 27 limbs. The mean ankle-brachial index increased from 0.17 ± 0.26 to 0.98 ± 0.19 after the procedure. Three in-hospital deaths and no major amputations were recorded. Distal embolization of crural arteries occurred as a minor complication in five limbs, but no major complications occurred. The primary patency rate and the rate of freedom from reintervention were 74.9% and 90.9% at 1 year, respectively, and 66.6% and 80.8% at 2 years, respectively. Conclusion PAT is a rapid and effective method to remove a thrombus from occluded infrainguinal arteries.