Percutaneous Mechanical Thromboembolectomy in Acute Lower Limb Ischemia

Percutaneous thrombectomy for acute limb ischemia is associated with equivalent limb and mortality outcomes compared with open thrombectomy

BACKGROUND

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) carries a 15% to 20% risk of combined death or amputation at 30 days and 50% to 60% at 1 year. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PT) is an emerging minimally invasive alternative to open thrombectomy (OT). However, ALI thrombectomy cases are omitted from most quality databases, limiting comparisons of limb and survival outcomes between PT and OT. Therefore, our aim was to compare in-hospital outcomes between PT and OT using the National Inpatient Sample.

METHODS

We analyzed survey-weighted National Inpatient Sample data (2015-2020) to include emergent admissions of aged adults (50+ years) with a primary diagnosis of lower extremity ALI undergoing index procedures within 2 days of hospitalization. We excluded hospitalizations with concurrent trauma or dissection diagnoses and index procedures using catheter-directed thrombolysis. Our primary outcome was composite in-hospital major amputation or death. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital major amputation, death, in-hospital reintervention (including angioplasty/stent, thrombolysis, PT, OT, or bypass), and extended length of stay (eLOS; defined as LOS >75th percentile). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were generated by multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographics, frailty (Risk Analysis Index), secondary diagnoses including atrial fibrillation and peripheral artery disease, hospital characteristics, and index procedure data including the anatomic thrombectomy level and fasciotomy. A priori subgroup analyses were performed using interaction terms.

RESULTS

We included 23,795 survey-weighted ALI hospitalizations (mean age: 72.2 years, 50.4% female, 79.2% White, and 22.3% frail), with 7335 (30.8%) undergoing PT. Hospitalization characteristics for PT vs OT differed by atrial fibrillation (28.7% vs 36.5%, P < .0001), frequency of intervention at the femoropopliteal level (86.2% vs 88.8%, P = .009), and fasciotomy (4.8% vs 6.9%, P = .006). In total, 2530 (10.6%) underwent major amputation or died. Unadjusted (10.1% vs 10.9%, P = .43) and adjusted (aOR = 0.96 [95% CI, 0.77-1.20], P = .74) risk did not differ between the groups. PT was associated with increased odds of reintervention (aOR = 2.10 [95% CI, 1.72-2.56], P < .0001) when compared with OT, but this was not seen in the tibial subgroup (aOR = 1.31 [95% CI, 0.86-2.01], P = .21, Pinteraction < .0001). Further, 79.1% of PT hospitalizations undergoing reintervention were salvaged with endovascular therapy. Lastly, PT was associated with significantly decreased odds of eLOS (aOR = 0.80 [95% CI, 0.69-0.94], P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

PT was associated with comparable in-hospital limb salvage and mortality rates compared with OT. Despite an increased risk of reintervention, most PT reinterventions avoided open surgery, and PT was associated with a decreased risk of eLOS. Thus, PT may be an appropriate alternative to OT in appropriately selected patients.

Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy using the Rotarex®S device for the treatment of acute lower limb artery embolism: A retrospective single-center, single-arm study

Objective

Acute limb embolism (ALE) is a challenging, highly morbid, and frequently fatal vascular emergency. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) devices are an alternative treatment to restore perfusion by removing emboli in the limb arterial system. We evaluated the outcomes of treatment of ALE patients using PMT devices in our center.

Methods

A retrospective review of ALE patients treated with Rotarex S (Straub Medical) at a single institution from 2018 to 2022 was performed. The primary outcome was technical success, defined as complete recanalization of the occluded segment with satisfactory outflow and good capillary filling of the distal parts of the foot without any major or obstructing residual emboli or thrombi either in the treated segment or in the outflow tract without the need for additional catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) or conversion to open surgery. Embolized segments treated, treatment outcomes, and perioperative complications were reviewed.

Results

A total of 17 ALE patients (29% men, 71% women; mean age, 73 years) underwent PMT procedures. The femoral arteries and popliteal arteries are the most commonly treated vessels, with both present in 59% of the patients. The technical success rate was 100%, but the majority of cases (82%) had concurrent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stent grafting, and two patients were treated with urokinase during the operation. There was one thrombotic recurrence that required amputation. There were no 30-day deaths. Complications included extravasation after PMT (two), intraoperative embolization of the outflow tract (one), access site hematoma (one), target artery thrombosis (one), and acute kidney injury (one). There were no severe bleeding complications.

Conclusions

The Rotarex S device has a satisfactory success rate, although complementary use of various adjunctive techniques is frequently required. It seems to be a moderately effective tool for treating ALE to avoid CDT or open surgery. The device appears safe, with low risks of amputation and mortality rates, but special attention should be given to the potential for extravasation and distal embolism.

Sex-related differences in the effect of rotational thrombectomy for thrombus-containing lower limbs ischemic lesions

BACKGROUND

To assess the immediate effect and factors affecting the efficacy of rotational thrombectomy (RT) in patients with thrombus-containing lower-limb ischaemic lesions.

METHODS

Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups: RT and RT+ CDT (Catheter-directed thrombolysis). The RT group included patients in whom intraoperative thrombus aspiration was successful, while the RT + CDT group included patients in whom intraoperative thrombus aspiration was less effective and remedial CDT treatment was used. The primary outcome was the immediate effect of RT on thrombus-containing lower-limb ischaemic lesions.

RESULTS

From May 2015 to July 2021, 170 patients (113 men, 57 women; mean age, 74.0 years) with thrombus-containing lower-limb ischaemic lesions were treated in our centre. Of these patients, 113 received RT only, while 57 received RT + CDT. There were no significant intergroup differences in terms of age, disease duration, or comorbidities, but a higher proportion of male patients and higher preoperative plasma D-dimer levels (1.23 vs. 0.84; p = .017) was observed in the RT + CDT group. There were no significant intergroup differences in terms of diagnosis, lesion characteristics, lesion location, or lesion length. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.098-6.410; p = .030) and poor distal runoff (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.439-5.988; p = .003) were associated with higher rates of additional CDT. Male patients also had a significantly longer onset time, more thrombotic occlusions, and a greater frequency of in-stent restenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

RT alone or with CDT is a feasible primary treatment option for thrombus debulking. Sex significantly influences the effect of RT on thrombus-containing lower-limb ischaemic lesions.

Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Limb Ischemia With Aorto-iliac Occlusion

Background

To evaluate the outcomes of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) with Rotarex catheter in patients with acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) caused by aorto-iliac occlusion.

Materials and Methods

Data of patients with ALI caused by aorto-iliac occlusion in our institutions from January 2010 and April 2020 were reviewed. The primary end point was limb salvage rate. The secondary end points included technical success rate, survival rate, complications after the operation and during the follow-up.

Results

A total of 85 patients with ALI was diagnosed with aorto-iliac occlusion. Thirty-eight patients were treated by PMT with Rotarex catheter and enrolled in present study. Twenty-four were male (63.2%), and 14 were female (36.8%). The mean age was 66 years (range 28–83). All 38 patients were treated with PMT, with additional catheter directed thrombolysis (2/38, 5.3%), balloon angioplasty (8/38, 21.1%) and stent deployment (7/38, 18.4%). The mean procedure time was 123 ± 31 min. Seven patients (18.4%) underwent continuous renal replacement therapy. Two patients received major amputations (above the knee) and 2 patients died for renal insufficiency and heart failure during the hospital stay. Thirty-day survival rate was 94.7% and limb salvage was 94.4%. The mean follow-up time was 14.0 months (8–22 months). There was no major amputation and target artery occlusion occurred during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

PMT with Rotarex catheter could be new option for acute aorto-iliac occlusion, leading to safe and effective results.

Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy for Arterial Thromboembolic Occlusion Following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty: Technical Success Rates and Clinical Outcomes

PURPOSE

 We aimed to analyze the technical success rate of manual percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) in patients with peripheral arterial thromboembolism as a complication of infrainguinal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and we sought to evaluate the 30-day postintervention clinical outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 We retrospectively identified 29 patients (men/women, 18/11; mean age, 74 years) who underwent infrainguinal PAT to treat thromboembolic complications of infrainguinal PTA. Primary and secondary technical successes were defined as residual stenosis of < 50 % of the vessel diameter after PAT alone and PAT with additional PTA, respectively. Clinical outcome parameters (e. g., amputation, need for further intervention) were evaluated during the first 30 days after intervention.

RESULTS

 The primary and secondary technical success rates were 58.6 % (17/29) and 79.3 % (23/29), respectively. Clinical outcome data were available for 93.1 % (27/29) of patients. No further intervention was required within 30 days in 81.5 % (22/27) of patients. Four patients underwent minor amputations owing to preexisting ulcerations (Rutherford Category 5), and no patients underwent major amputations (Rutherford Category 6). Revascularization of the previously treated vessel segment with PTA was necessary on the first postintervention day in one patient.

CONCLUSION

 Manual PAT, with PTA if needed, has a good technical success rate and satisfactory early clinical outcome in patients with iatrogenic thromboembolic complications after infrainguinal PTA.

KEY POINTS

  · Manual PAT is a possible first-choice treatment of infrainguinal PTA-induced acute thromboembolism.. · Performing additional PTA increases the success rate of manual PAT.. · Unlike catheter-directed intraarterial lysis, manual PAT carries no risk of bleeding..

CITATION FORMAT

· Schicho A, Bäumler W, Verloh N et al. Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy for Arterial Thromboembolic Occlusion Following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty: Technical Success Rates and Clinical Outcomes. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; DOI: 10.1055/a-1652-1726.

A Comparison of Outcomes Based on Vessel Type (Native Artery vs. Bypass Graft) and Artery Location (Below-Knee Artery vs. Non-Below-Knee Artery) Using a Combination of Multiple Endovascular Techniques for Acute Lower Limb Ischemia

BACKGROUND

To evaluate outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) using a combination of multiple endovascular techniques for acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) and to compare outcomes based on vessel type and artery location.

METHODS

A total of 95 consecutive patients with ALLI (mean age, 72.0 years; 65 males; 104 lower limbs) who received emergency EVT using a combination of multiple endovascular techniques including thrombolysis, aspiration thrombectomy, stenting, and balloon angioplasty with or without surgical thromboembolectomy, between January 2005 and December 2017 were included. Vessel type was classified into native artery occlusion (native occlusion) and bypass graft occlusion (graft occlusion), including prosthetic and vein graft. Additionally, native arteries were categorized into below-knee occlusion and non-below-knee occlusion. Technical success, perioperative death (POD), ALLI-related death, amputation, amputation-free survival (AFS), and complications were compared according to vessel type (native occlusion vs. graft occlusion) and artery location (below-knee occlusion vs. non-below-knee occlusion).

RESULTS

Of all patients with ALLI, 16.8% underwent a single endovascular technique, whereas 83.2% underwent a combination of multiple endovascular techniques. The technicalsuccess, POD, and ALLI-related death rates in the total number of patients were 94.7%, 11.6%, and 4.2%, respectively. A total of 67 patients (75 limbs) and 28 patients (29 limbs) were classified as having native occlusion and graft occlusion (prosthetic, 24 limbs; vein, 5 limbs), respectively. No significant differences in technical success (native occlusion: 92.5% vs. graft occlusion: 100%), POD (14.9% vs. 3.6%), and ALLI-related death (6.0% vs. 0%) were noted between native occlusion and graft occlusion. However, the 30-day AFS rate of native occlusion was significantly lower than that of graft occlusion (75.2% vs. 96.3%, P=0.01). The amputation rate (P=0.03) and AFS rate (P=0.03) of below-knee occlusion were significantly worse for below-knee occlusion patients than for non-below-knee occlusion patients.

CONCLUSIONS

EVT using multiple endovascular techniques for ALLI is effective and safe. A combination of multiple endovascular techniques is crucial for successful treatment. However, native occlusion may have a lower AFS rate than graft occlusion, and below-knee occlusion may have a higher risk of amputation than non-below-knee occlusion.

Successful Embolectomy of the Plantar Artery Occlusion Due to Thromboembolism

A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of sudden pain in the left leg. Computed tomography and ultrasonography findings revealed occlusion of the plantar and sural arteries and atherothrombosis in the abdominal aorta, and thromboembolism was suspected. The foot was treated for ischemia and embolic sources in two stages. First, we performed embolectomy using a balloon catheter exposed to the common plantar artery through arteriotomy. This surgical revascularization is an effective treatment method for thromboembolism. Four weeks later, we performed graft replacement of the abdominal aorta to prevent thromboembolism.

Percutaneous Rotational Mechanical Atherectomy Plus Thrombectomy Using Rotarex S Device in Patients With Acute and Subacute Lower Limb Ischemia: A Review of Safety, Efficacy, and Outcomes

Acute and subacute ischemia of lower limbs is associated with high risk of amputation and potential severe life-threatening complications. Despite a lack of clear therapeutic recommendations, surgical treatments such as thrombectomy or bypass and/or catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) have been first-line procedures in both acute and subacute limb ischemia, but each therapy may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Such situations demand fast restoration of appropriate flow to preclude limb loss and other complications. Percutaneous mechanical atherectomy plus thrombectomy (MATH) represents a minimally invasive approach for quickly recanalizing thrombus-containing lesions whatever the age of thrombus. Indeed, many chronic patients can present with critical limb ischemia, with thrombus-containing occlusive lesions triggered by underlying atherosclerotic disease. MATH offers various advantages over surgery and CDT, with lower invasiveness, faster recanalization, and the possibility to immediately treat the underlying lesions, with a lower rate of bleeding complications and no need for intensive care unit stay. Currently, several mechanical thrombectomy devices are offered as an alternative therapy and can be divided into pure rotational MATH systems and rheolytic thrombectomy devices. The only pure rotational MATH device currently available on the market is the Rotarex S device. We aimed to review contemporary clinical data regarding the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of MATH therapy using Rotarex S catheter in acute and subacute thrombus-containing arterial lesions of lower limbs. Future perspectives of Rotarex S MATH treatment and cost-effectiveness of its routine use will be also discussed.

Endovascular Strategies in the Management of Acute Limb Ischemia

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) represents one of the most common emergent scenarios encountered by a vascular specialist. Despite expedient revascularization, high rates of limb loss are reported along with high mortality rates which are second only to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Surgical revascularization is standard of care. Endovascular techniques as an alternative have emerged to be appropriate first line therapy when addressing the threatened limb. We review the etiology and classification of ALI and current endovascular techniques and evidence to date in the management of patients acutely presenting with extremity ischemia.