MECHANICAL THROMBOLYSIS WITH THE AMPLATZ THROMBECTOMY CATHETER

Purpose: To determine the efficiency of the Amplatz thrombectomy devic e (ATD) in thromboembolic occlusions of lower limb arteries and haemod ialysis shunts. Patients and methods: 9 patients (mean age 61 years) w ith either occluded native leg arteries (n = 7) or haemodialysis graft access (n = 2) were treated with the ATD. Mean length of occlusion wa s 10 +/- 4,47 cm. Results: The occlusions were primarily successfully recanalised by ATD within 44 +/- 17 seconds. Remaining stenoses were t reated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA, n = 6) and an additional implantation of a vascular stent (n = 3). The ankle-brachia l-index (ABI) increased from 0.46 +/- 0.37 to 0.81 +/- 0.2 within 24 h ours 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 wi thin 6 months. After 5 months, a shunt occlusion and a native leg arte ry occlusion appeared. Conclusions: Thrombolysis by ATD is a safe, fea sible and simple procedure. There are no contraindications. No complic ations were seen.