| Abstract: | Purpose: To determine the efficacy ofthrombectomy for the Amplatz Thrombectomy Device (ATD) according to theage of the thrombus. Methods: Thrombectomy was performedwith the 7 Fr or 8 Fr ATD. Five-day-old or 8-day-old thrombi were madefrom porcine blood by clotting within silicone tubes to be used in aflow model. Emboli sizes, weight, remaining thrombus and activationtime were evaluated. Results: The age of the thrombushad no influence on the activation time necessary for completethrombolysis. A significant difference was found in the overall amountof embolization only with the 7 Fr device although a similar trend wasshown with the 8 Fr device. The amount of embolized thrombotic materialwas higher for both devices if older thrombi (i.e., 8 days old) wereprocessed. The overall impression was that the 8 Fr device showedslightly better results (less remaining thrombus and embolization). Conclusion: A tendency toward higher amounts of embolizationwas observed if older thrombi were used in the model. Therefore theinterventional radiologist should be aware of the potentially higherrisk of peripheral embolization when performing mechanical thrombectomy(with the ATD) in older thrombotic occlusions, especially since thehigher rate of embolization was mainly due to an increased proportionof larger embolic particles (1 mm), which are clinically moresignificant. *Current address: Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA |
