Early experience with a helical coronary thrombectomy device in patients with acute coronary thrombosis

Delayed vs. immediate stenting in STEMI with a high thrombus burden : A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The results of several large-scale randomized controlled trials are controversial regarding the advantages of delayed stenting (DS) compared with immediate stenting (IS). We sought to determine whether DS has benefits for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with a high thrombus burden compared with IS.

METHODS

We systematically searched four electronic databases. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow, TIMI myocardial blush grade (TMBG), complete ST-segment resolution (>70%), major adverse cardiac events (MACE), and major bleeding complications were studied as outcomes. Data analysis was performed using a random-effects model utilizing the Review Manager 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included eight studies involving 744 patients. DS showed greater benefits than IS in terms of TIMI grade 3 flow (odds ratio [OR]: 5.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.98-13.02, p < 0.001), TMBG (OR: 4.17, 95% CI: 1.87-9.31, p < 0.001), complete ST-segment resolution (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.36-3.43, p = 0.001), and MACE (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.94, p = 0.03). No significant difference was observed regarding major bleeding events (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 0.40-7.66, p = 0.45).

CONCLUSION

DS yielded satisfactory outcomes regarding myocardial tissue reperfusion, demonstrated by the improved TIMI flow grade, TMBG, complete ST-segment resolution, and decreased MACEs without increasing major bleeding events in patients with STEMI and a high thrombus burden. DS may be preferred to IS for treating patients with this characteristic presentation.

Incidence, predictors, and outcomes of device failure of X-sizer thrombectomy: real-world experience of 200 cases in 5 years

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of adjunctive X-sizer (EndiCOR Inc, San Clemente, CA) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, patient and lesion subsets were highly selected, and extrapolation of the results to daily practice is problematic.

METHODS

X-sizer thrombectomy was performed in 200 procedures from August 2000 to July 2005. The indications for the procedures were primary PCI in 71%. Device failure was defined as the occurrence of 1 or more of the following conditions: (a) failure of the X-sizer to reach the target segment, (b) failure to achieve final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow, (c) slow flow or no-reflow, (d) distal embolization, and (e) coronary perforation.

RESULTS

Device failure occurred in 48 procedures, giving a device failure rate of 24%. Logistic regression analysis showed that ostial lesion was the only independent predictor of device failure (OR 4.89, 95% CI 1.23-19.51, P = .024). A total of 19 patients had developed 22 adverse events, giving a 30-day adverse event rate of 9.5%. Among these, there were 13 deaths, 4 strokes, 2 reinfarctions, 2 repeat PCIs, and 1 coronary artery bypass grafting. Logistic regression analysis showed that X-sizer device failure was independently associated with 30-day adverse events (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.04-11.25, P = .043).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of device failure of X-sizer thrombectomy was 24%. Ostial lesion was an independent predictor of device failure. Notably, X-sizer device failure was independently associated with 30-day adverse event. These highlight the importance of case selection and the problem with its use in ostial lesions.

Successful thrombus extraction with the Rescue thrombus management system during acute percutaneous coronary intervention improves flow but does not necessarily restore optimal myocardial tissue perfusion

We determined the effectiveness of the Rescue device in restoring flow and achieving optimal tissue perfusion during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in thrombus-laden coronary arteries.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients with an acute coronary syndrome underwent PCI using the Rescue device.

RESULTS

The mean age was 65.5 +/- 9.8 years. Although the Rescue device could not be passed across the lesion in 6 (20%) cases, debris was aspirated in 26 (87%). The uncorrected TIMI frame count improved following the use of the Rescue device and improved further at the completion of PCI (92.2 +/- 23.9 pre-PCI vs. 38.7 +/- 31.3 post-Rescue vs. 21.96 +/- 24 post-PCI, P < 0.0001). The thrombus score improved from 4 +/- 0 to 2.2 +/- 1.29 to 0.86 +/- 1.4 (P < 0.0001). TIMI flow grade (TFG) 3 was restored in 60% of cases following the Rescue device and in 87% after PCI. Myocardial blush grade 3 occurred in only 13% of patients following the Rescue device and 37% of patients after PCI.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the Rescue device can aspirate considerable amounts of debris in the majority of patients and significantly improves the angiographic epicardial coronary blood flow. How effective such a device is in improving tissue perfusion and, thereby, clinical outcomes for patients remains to be seen.

A pilot study with a new, rapid-exchange, thrombus-aspirating device in patients with thrombus-containing lesions: the Diver C.E. study

BACKGROUND

In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), distal embolization of thrombotic material is more likely to play a key role in the pathogenesis of myocardial no-reflow during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thus, interventional techniques able to reduce thrombus burden at the culprit vessel might improve final myocardial reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a new rapid-exchange thrombus-aspirating catheter, the Diver C.E., in patients with thrombotic coronary lesions undergoing PCI.

METHODS

Fifty patients with acute myocardial infarction (n = 44) or with non-ST-elevation ACS and angiographic evidence of coronary thrombus (n = 6) undergoing urgent PCI were prospectively enrolled. The Diver C.E. was used to aspirate coronary thrombus from the culprit lesion after placement of the guidewire. Adjunctive balloon inflations and stent implantation were used to achieve good angiographic result. Angiographic coronary flow (by means of TIMI score and corrected TIMI frame count, cTFC), thrombus score (TS), and myocardial perfusion (by means of postintervention myocardial blush grade, MBG) were assessed in all patients.

RESULTS

The device could be successfully employed in 96% of the cases (48/50) and yielded significant (P < 0.0001) acute reduction in thrombus burden (TS: predevice 3.5 +/- 0.8, postdevice 2.5 +/- 0.9) and improvement in coronary flow (TIMI grade: predevice 1.0 +/- 0.9, postdevice 2.0 +/- 0.9; CTFC predevice 71 +/- 31, postdevice 39 +/- 26). Final TIMI grade 0-1 was observed in one patient only (2%). A significant (P = 0.02) correlation was found between preintervention TS and efficacy of thrombus aspiration. A more pronounced acute reduction of thrombus burden after thrombus aspiration (TS reduction > or = 2) was associated with a better postintervention angiographic myocardial perfusion (MBG 2.3 +/- 0.9 vs 1.7 +/- 0.8; P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This new, easy-to-use, device is able to reduce thrombus burden and to improve coronary flow in patients with thrombus-containing lesions. The improvement in myocardial perfusion associated to greater thrombus removal highlights the importance of thrombus aspiration in the management of thrombus-burdened coronary lesions.

Superior vena cava thrombectomy with the X-SIZER® catheter system in a child with Fontan palliation

A 4-year-old female with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and Fontan palliation presented with severe neurologic impairment from thrombosis of the superior vena cava (SVC). She underwent successful SVC thrombectomy with the X-SIZER Thrombectomy Catheter System, followed by balloon angioplasty. She demonstrated rapid improvement in her neurologic deficits after the procedure. This represents the first published use of the X-SIZER in a child and its first published use for SVC thrombectomy.

Effects of Percutaneous Coronary Thrombectomywith the X-Sizer Catheter on Epicardial Flow and Microvascular Function in Acute Coronary Syndromes

During percutaneous coronary intervention, slow coronary flow and distal embolization are still important problems, especially in cases with intracoronary thrombus. The aim of this study was to learn the effectiveness and early term results of thrombectomy with the X-SIZER catheter system in acute coronary syndrome. Twenty-nine patients (22 [76%] men; 55.9 ± 11.1 years) with acute coronary syndrome and intracoronary thrombus detected in coronary angiography were included into the study. X-sizer thrombectomy was applied to 14 of the patients, and conventional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was applied to the others. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow increased from 0.8 ± 0.9 to 2.4 ± 0.6 in X-sizer-treated patients (p<0.001) and TIMI 3 flow was maintained in 71.4% of the patients. Similary, mean TIMI flow increased from 0.36 ± 0.81 to 2.73 ± 0.47 in conventional PTCA-treated patients (p<0.001) and TIMI 3 flow was maintained in 73% of the patients (NS). Mean myocardial blush grade (MBG) increased from 0.7 ± 0.7 to 2.6 ± 0.6 in X-sizer-treated patients (p<0.001) and from 0.27 ± 0.65 to 2.36 ± 0.67 in the conventional PTCA-treated patients (p<0.001). Postprocedural MBG 3 was obtained in 64.3% of X-Sizer-treated patients and in 45% of controls. Although microvascular function in the thrombectomy-applied patients was found better, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore it was detected that the use of tirofiban yielded no additional improvement in epicardial and microvascular flow. In acute coronary syndromes, use of X-sizer in addition to primary percutaneous coronary interventions is a safe and relatively effective method in the prevention of distal embolization.

Comparison of the X-SIZER Thrombectomy Device with Adjunct Abciximab During Primary Angioplasty and Stenting for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the X-SIZER thrombectomy device versus the use of abciximab during primary angioplasty for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing primary angioplasty for STEMI from October 2000 to December 2002 using the X-SIZER thrombectomy device versus abciximab.

SETTING

National University Hospital, Singapore.

PATIENTS

Out of 79 patients, 44 underwent X-SIZER use, while 35 received adjunct abciximab. Both groups were similarly represented with regards to age, gender, risk factors, target vessel site/diameter, cardiogenic shock, and onset of chest pain to procedure time. The infarct-related artery was occluded in 88.6% in both groups.

INTERVENTIONS

A 2-mm X-SIZER was used in 34/44 (77.3%), while a 1.5-mm device was used in the remainder. Final TIMI 3 flow was obtained in 38/44 (86.4%) in the X-SIZER group compared to 26/35 (74.3%) in the abciximab group (P = 0.175).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Coronary TIMI flow rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) resolution, slow flow/no reflow phenomenon, and patient outcome (death, cardiac failure, or repeat revascularization) at 1 month.

RESULTS

ECG resolution and slow flow/no reflow were better in the X-SIZER group (77.3% vs 54.3%, P = 0.031; 9.1% vs 25.7%, P = 0.047, respectively). Patient outcome at 1 month was, however, not significantly different (18.2% vs 17.1%, P = 0.904, respectively, for X-SIZER and abciximab).

CONCLUSION

X-SIZER thrombectomy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for thrombus-laden STEMI is a safe and effective strategy. When compared to patients receiving abciximab, it was associated with improved ECG resolution, less slow flow/no reflow and a trend to better TIMI 3 flow.

Procedural efficacy and complications of X-Sizer thrombectomy in de novo and stented lesions

Angiographic thrombus is associated with poorer procedural and clinical outcomes. We report our experience with the X-Sizer thrombectomy device (EndiCOR Medical) from March 2001 to December 2002. Indications for use in 44 patients (33 male; mean age, 60) included myocardial infarction (27), unstable angina (6), periprocedural thrombosis (2), acute (< 24 hr) stent thrombosis (1), and subacute (> 24 hr) stent thrombosis (8). Three cases involved vein grafts. Deployment was successful in 42/44. Difficulty traversing the stent occurred in 5/9 cases of in-stent thrombosis. Median TIMI flow increased from 1 to 2 (P = 0.01) postthrombectomy. Median final TIMI flow was 3. Complications included dissection (1), perforation, device jam on stent (1), disruption of a covered stent (1), distal macro-embolization (4), and transient no-reflow (5). The X-Sizer thrombectomy device improves TIMI flow but does not always prevent distal embolization. Care is needed when treating in-stent thrombosis.

[Angiographic results of thrombectomy performed with two new devices in lesions with intracoronary thrombus]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The presence of intracoronary thrombus is associated with less favorable results of percutaneous coronary interventions. In recent years, new devices have been designed to improve the outcome of these procedures when an intracoronary thrombus is present. The results of two new systems of thrombectomy used in a single center are analyzed.

METHODS

Prospective observational registry of the use of two thrombectomy devices, X-SIZER (EndiCOR Medical Inc., San Clemente, California, USA) and RESCUE (Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Maple Grove, Minnesota, USA), between 1 June 2000 and 15 February 2002. RESULTS. One hundred thirty-nine devices were used in 137 patients (112 RESCUE and 27 X-SIZER). The main indication was primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (80%). In 7 patients (5%), unscheduled thrombectomy was performed for unexpected complications that appeared during the procedure. In 75% of patients, IIb/IIIa inhibitors were given. In 10 cases (7%) the device did not reach the lesion. Complications derived from the use of the device were recorded in 3 cases (2.1%). TIMI flow improved from 1.28 1.1 before thrombectomy to 2.31 1.2 after the procedure. Improvement in the thrombus image was observed in 86%. The intervention was successful in 86%.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombectomy with X-Sizer and Rescue improved the angiographic thrombus image in most cases and was associated to a low complication rate. Its efficacy compared to the conventional technique should be assessed in future trials.

Damage to a covered stent by a thrombectomy device

A 75-year-old with a history of coronary bypass grafting was found to have significant stenoses in a vein graft to the right coronary artery. Symbiot stents, with a polytetrafluoroethylene covering, were used to treat areas in the proximal and middle sections of the graft. The following day, she developed symptoms and signs consistent with an acute inferior infarction. The graft was found to be thrombosed. Thrombectomy was performed using an X-Sizer device, consisting of a helical cutter connected to a vacuum source. This resulted in damage to the stent lining, which led to jamming of the device and subsequent removal of a piece of the stent covering. Treatment was by way of deployment of a long stent within the damaged stent. Recovery was unremarkable. Caution or avoidance of this device appears warranted in the setting of covered stent procedures.