In vivo evaluation of the Hydrolyser hydrodynamic thrombectomy catheter.

PURPOSE

The authors evaluated a 7-F double-lumen thrombectomy catheter (Hydrolyser) in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To evaluate efficacy, thrombectomy was performed 1, 4, or 8 days after local denudation in peripheral arteries (n = 18) and veins (n = 29) of nine goats. To evaluate safety, the reaction of the vessel wall to a functioning and nonfunctioning Hydrolyser catheter was evaluated in the peripheral arteries and veins of three goats 10 days after the procedure.

RESULTS

Reopening was achieved in all vessels with residual thrombus in 11% of arteries (two of 18) and 55% of veins (16 of 29). Slight intimal thickening was observed, but no difference was seen between the passage of a functioning versus nonfunctioning catheter.

CONCLUSIONS

The Hydrolyser device can remove intravascular thrombus up to 8 days after induction. There was no difference in vessel wall reaction after the passage of a functioning and nonfunctioning catheter.