[Treatment of acute femoropopliteal bypass graft occlusion: comparison of mechanical rotational thrombectomy with ultrasound-enhanced lysis].

PURPOSE

Mechanical thrombectomy has become a viable alternative to intra-arterial thrombolysis for the treatment of acute infrainguinal occlusion. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a mechanical thrombectomy system in comparison with ultrasound-enhanced thrombolysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2005 to March 2007, 20 patients, mean age 67.4+/-13.6, with acute occlusions of the femoropopliteal bypass graft were treated with either a rotational thrombectomy system (Straub Rotarex, n=10) or with 1.0 mg/h Actilyse using an ultrasound-enhanced lysis system (EKOS Lysus Peripheral Catheter System, n=10). The mean occlusion length was 33.1 cm (range 28-40 cm) in the thrombectomy group and 33.7 cm (11-50 cm) in the lysis group.

RESULTS

The technical success rate was 100% in the thrombectomy group and 90 % in the lysis group. The mean treatment time was significantly lower with 64.5 min (45-90 min) in the thrombectomy group in comparison with 904.0 min (120-1350 min) in the lysis group. The ankle brachial index (ABI) improved in the thrombectomy group from 0.41+/-0.09 to 0.86+/-0.10 at discharge and 0.85+/-0.07 after 1 month (p<0.05) and in the lysis group from preinterventional 0.37+/-0.15 to 0.82+/-0.16 at discharge and 0.80+/-0.24 after 1 month (p<0.05). In one case lysis had to be stopped after two hours because of dislocation of the introducer sheath which was then treated by open surgery.

CONCLUSION

Mechanical-rotational thrombectomy with the Rotarex system and lysis with the ultrasound-enhanced catheter from Ekos were very safe and effective treatment options for acute occlusion. Blood flow is restored much faster with mechanical thrombectomy.