Rheolytic thrombectomy in the treatment of acute limb-threatening ischemia: Immediate results and six-month follow-up of the multicenter AngioJet (R)registry

We tested the efficacy of rheolytic thrombectomy in treating 21 patients (m ean age 68 +/- 12 years; 66% male) and 22 vessels (limbs) who presented to the hospital within 2 weeks of the development of limb-threatening ischemia . Fifty-two percent had contraindications to use thrombolytics, and 57% had severe comorbidities. All of the vessels were occluded with thrombus on th e initial angiogram. Procedural success was achieved in 20 limbs (91%). Thr ee patients expired in the hospital, and one expired at follow-up due to no nvascular causes. Acute limb salvage was achieved in 18 of 19 limbs (95%) i n the 18 survivors, and 6-month limb salvage was achieved in 16 of 18 limbs (89%) in the 17 survivors. Rheolytic thrombectomy is effective in restorin g immediate blood flow in acute limb-threatening ischemia, especially in hi gh-risk surgical patients or patients with contraindications to thrombolyti c therapy. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:386-393, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss , Inc.