SHORT-TERM RESULTS WITH USE OF THE AMPLATZ THROMBECTOMY DEVICE IN THETREATMENT OF ACUTE LOWER-LIMB OCCLUSIONS

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Amplatz device for t he treatment of acute occlusions of the lower limb arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with acute occlusion of the lower limb ar teries (3 hours to 8 days; mean, 2 days) were treated using the Amplat z clot macerator. Acute thrombotic lower limb occlusion was due to an embolic event in 32 patients and to atherosclerotic disease in eight p atients. RESULTS: Complete success, with complete clearing of thrombot ic material without an adjunctive procedure, was achieved in 75% (30 o f 40) of the patients. Mean thrombectomy time in these patients was 75 seconds. Partial success, with incomplete clearing of the thrombus, r equiring additional procedures such as local thrombolysis, angioplasty , or atherectomy, was achieved in 20% (eight of 40) of the patients. T he Doppler index increased significantly (P < .001) from .45 before in tervention to .96 after intervention. There were two failures (5%). No major complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombectomy wit h use of the Amplatz device is a promising approach for quick recanali zation of acute peripheral thromboembolic occlusions. Further studies are needed to prove tile long-term patency after mechanical thrombecto my with use of this device.