In vitro comparison of a 6F and 8F high-speed rotational device for mechanical thrombus fragmentation.

Purpose:In vitro comparison of the 6F and 8F Amplatz thrombectomy device (A TD) for treatment of thrombotically occluded vessels in a flow-model. Mater ials and Methods: Thrombectomy of clots from porcine blood was performed wi th either a 6F or an 8F Amplatz thrombectomy device (AID) in a flow-model s imulating a superficial femoral artery circuit (n = 40; 7,5 g: 7 mm diamete r; 4.5 g: 5 mm diameter). Emboli caused during thrombectomy were determined in a three-step filter array (1000 mu m). Results: Thrombectomy was succes sful in all cases. In 5 mm/7 mm lumen time for thrombectomy was measured fr om 47 s/56 s (8F) to 86 s/107 s (p<0,01) (6F). Remaining thrombus weighted in 5 mm/7 mm lumen 0,04 g/- 0,02 g (8F) and 0,059 g/- 0,02 g (6F). Overall weight emboli determined for 1000 mu m, 100 mu m and 10 mu m size and perce ntage of emboli related to original-thrombus weight measured 0,23 g/4,96% ( 8F, 5 mm), 0,2 g/4,36% (6F, 5 mm), 0,08 g/1,13% (8F, 7 mm), and 0.09 g/1,18 % (6F, 7 mm). Conclusions: In vitro, the 6F ATD is in "vessels" with 5 mm a nd 7 mm diameter as effective as the 8F version. Particle embolization in f low-circuit was similar with both devices, although the 6F ATD requires a l onger time for thrombectomy in vessel with larger diameter.