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

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Abstract
We tested the efficacy of rheolytic thrombectomy in treating 21 patients (mean 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 the initial angiogram. Procedural success was achieved in 20 limbs (91%). Three patients expired in the hospital, and one expired at follow‐up due to nonvascular causes. Acute limb salvage was achieved in 18 of 19 limbs (95%) in 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 restoring immediate blood flow in acute limb‐threatening ischemia, especially in high‐risk surgical patients or patients with contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:386–393, 1998.