3-year midterm results following Hydrolyser (TM) thrombolysis.

Purpose: Data of a three-year follow-up after mechanical thrombolysis with the Hydrolyser catheter were evaluated. Patients have otherwise been treate d by local thrombolysis. Method: 35 patients were treated by thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty, aspiration, local thrombolysis, and stent placement, i f necessary. Morphological results following Hydrolyser treatment and addit ional treatment were evaluated. Results: Following Hydrolyser treatment a s ignificant reduction of the degree and length of the occlusion was observed . Primary clinical success was 80 %. Patency rate after 3 years was 0.5. 23 % of ail patients died in the follow-up period. Conclusion: The Hydrolyser treatment is a relevant alternative to local thrombolysis. This method red uces the time of treatment The authors favor the lateral opening of the cat heter to remove mural thrombus.