Endovascular popliteal thrombectomy using the self-expanding, retrievable Solitaire recanalization device

Mechanical revascularization using Solitaire AB device for acute limb ischemia secondary to popliteal and infrapopliteal embolic occlusion

Objective

Acute limb ischemia is one of the most common arterial emergencies. The data of mechanical revascularization using Solitaire AB device coupled with thromboaspiration for the treatment of popliteal and infrapopliteal acute limb ischemia are limited. The aim of this study was to review the preliminary safety and effectiveness.

Methods

We performed a single-center retrospective review of patients with popliteal and infrapopliteal acute limb ischemia treated with Solitaire AB device coupled with thromboaspiration from February 2019 to May 2020. Adjunctive balloon angioplasty was performed to correct coexisting atherosclerotic stenosis. Technical success was defined as successful deployment of the Solitaire AB device across the occlusive segment and successful retrieval without the use of adjunctive catheter-directed thrombolysis or balloon angioplasty. Clinical success was defined as the relief of symptoms related to acute limb ischemia. Follow-up outcomes were also reviewed.

Results

There were 15 consecutive patients who underwent 16 Solitaire AB devices. Technical success was achieved in 11 (73.3%) patients. Of the unsuccessful patients, double-stent retrievers were employed in 1 (6.7%) patient. Two patients who encountered residual clots in distal small arteries underwent adjunctive catheter-directed thrombolysis. An adjunctive balloon angioplasty was required in 1 (6.7%) patient. All patients had notable acute limb ischemia symptom relief after the procedures. Clinical success was achieved in 14 (93.3%) patients. Besides one patient encountered minor amputation, the major amputation was prevented in all patients. No device-related complications or distal embolization events were recorded during the procedures. At the follow-up of 12 months, all surviving patients remained symptom-free, the patency was achieved in 12 (80%) patients and the limb salvage was 100%.

Conclusions

Preliminary outcomes suggest that mechanical revascularization using Solitaire AB device coupled with manual thromboaspiration appears to be a rapid, safe, and effective modality that appears to reduce the requirement for catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Advances in knowledge

These findings may add a promising recanalization therapy for acute embolic occlusion of the acute limb ischemia secondary to popliteal and infrapopliteal arteries.

Peripheral Non-cerebrovascular Arterial Stent Retriever Applications

Several treatment options exist for acute intra-abdominal arterial thromboembolic events, including systemic thrombolytics, endovascular therapy, and less commonly surgery. A novel alternative treatment intervention for acute intra-abdominal arterial thrombus is the use of stent retriever (SR) devices, tools traditionally applied for treatment of acute vascular thrombosis in stroke patients. This brief report presents two cases of acute intra-abdominal arterial thrombosis successfully managed by deployment of SRs. Furthermore, it details the history, device mechanism, and design of SRs and describes cases in literature involving effective extracranial SR application.

Endovascular Renal Artery Stent Retriever Embolectomy in a Young Patient With Cardiac Myxoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Purpose:

Cardiac myxomas are common tumors of the heart with disproportionate impact on young patients, occasionally with dramatic systemic dissemination of tumor emboli with catastrophic multiorgan system ischemia. The coincident comorbidities can increase the risk of traditional treatments for tumor embolus in each region.

Case report:

A young patient with previously unknown cardiac myxoma presented with seizure and was found to have stress cardiomyopathy, multiple cerebral large vessel occlusions with acute ischemic stroke, bilateral lower extremity tumor emboli and rhabdomyolysis, and renal tumor embolus with acute tubular necrosis. We describe a multidisciplinary approach applying cerebrovascular stent retriever devices in tumor embolectomy of the renal artery of a young patient with systemic morbidity, preventing safe laparotomy for open surgical tumor embolectomy.

Conclusion:

We describe 2-month renal function outcomes and the considerations in applying a neuroendovascular mechanical thrombectomy device within the renal artery. This was a radiographically successful technique and her renal function appears to be improving at the 2-month follow-up, although this is complicated by other renal insults and support.

Extraction of a migrated coil from the Enterprise stent strut using a Solitaire AB stent

A 56-year-old woman was admitted to stent-assisted coiling for a 2-mm A1 aneurysm of the left anterior cerebral artery and a left 3-mm internal carotid artery aneurysm. While coiling the A1 aneurysm, the first 2 mm × 20 mm coil migrated through the 4.5 mm × 37 mm Enterprise stent struts, lodging at the distal anterior cerebral artery. A 4 mm × 15 mm Solitaire AB stent was used successfully in this case to remove the displaced coil. The A1 aneurysm was re-treated with a 2 mm × 40 mm coil after placement of the Enterprise stent, and the ophthalmic ICA aneurysm was also coiled through the stent struts. The patient was neurologically intact after treatment.

Critical use of balloon angioplasty after recanalization failure with retrievable stent in acute cerebral artery occlusion

OBJECTIVE

Sudden major cerebral artery occlusion often resists recanalization with currently available techniques or can results in massive symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after thrombolytic therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanical recanalization with a retrievable self-expanding stent and balloon in acute intracranial artery occlusions.

METHODS

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with acute intracranial artery occlusions were treated with a Solitaire retrievable stent. Balloon angioplasty was added if successful recanalization was not achieved after stent retrieval. The angiographic outcome was assessed by Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) and the clinical outcomes were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

RESULTS

At baseline, mean age was 69.4 years and mean initial NIHSS score was 12.5. A recanalization to TICI 2 or 3 was achieved in 24 patients (85%) after stent retrieval. Successful recanalization was achieved after additional balloon angioplasty in 4 patients. At 90-day follow-up, 24 patients (85%) had a NIHSS improvement of ≥4 and 17 patients (60%) had a good outcome (mRS ≤2). Although there was sICH, there was one death associated with the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Mechanical thromboembolectomy with a retrievable stent followed by additional balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective first-line therapy for acute intracranial artery occlusions especially in case of unsuccessful recanalization after stent thrombectomy.