BACKGROUNDA growing volume of data suggests that simple manual thrombus aspiration followed by direct stenting improves myocardial reperfusion and clinical outcome compared with conventional primary PCI, but there is still limited data comparing the in vivo performance among different devices. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and operability of thrombus aspiration by the Diver CE (Invatec, Brescia, Italy) and ZEEK (Zeon Medical Inc., Tokyo, Japan) aspiration catheters in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and their impact on 3-month outcome.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to June 2008, 298 consecutive patients with STEMI who received manual thrombus aspiration were involved in a single center retrospective analysis. Of them, 229 and 69 were treated with Diver CE and ZEEK aspiration catheters, respectively. Primary endpoints were myocardial blush grade (MBG), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade, ST-segment elevation resolution (STR), device pushability and trackability as judged by the frequency of usage of dual guide wires and aspiration efficacy as indicated by size distribution of aspirated thrombi. Secondary endpoints were 3-month outcome including left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as well as cardiac death, target lesion revascularization (TLR), re-infarction and their combination as major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

RESULTSBaseline characteristics were not different between the two groups expect for a higher frequency of temporary cardiac pacing in the ZEEK group (ZEEK) than in the Diver CE group (Diver CE) (0.44% vs 5.8%, P = 0.002). Visible retrieved thrombi were achieved in 65.9% of the Diver CE and 68.1% of the ZEEK (P = 0.74). Aspirated thrombi were categorized as small thrombi (< 3.5 mm), moderate thrombi (3.5-7.0 mm) and large thrombi (> 7.0 mm). Small thrombi were more frequently seen in the Diver CE (61.6% vs 42.6%), whereas moderate and larger thrombi were more frequently found in the ZEEK (38.4% vs 57.4%) (P = 0.021). Rates of dual wire utilization were 1.7% of the Diver CE and 7.2% of the ZEEK (P = 0.052). There were no differences in MBG, STR and TIMI flow grade between the two groups. No differences were found in cardiac death, TLR, re-infarction, MACE, LVEDD and LVEF between the Diver CE and the ZEEK during 3-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSBoth Diver CE and ZEEK manual aspiration catheters are effective for thrombectomy in STEMI. In clinical practice, ZEEK presents a stronger aspiration capacity for moderate to large thrombi compared with Diver CE, but Diver CE displays a trend towards better pushability and trackability than ZEEK. Differences in aspiration capacity and operability between Diver CE and ZEEK in this setting do not influence myocardial reperfusion and 3-month outcome.

Coronary Angiography ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Thrombectomy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

A rubber tip disconnection of Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombolytic device (PTD) may occur occasionally. We experienced 5 cases of a rubber tip disconnection among 453 mechanical thrombectomy sessions with the use of PTD. We present a report about these five cases and suggest possible causes for the occurrences.
Aged ; Catheter Obstruction/*etiology ; Equipment Failure Analysis/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis/*instrumentation ; Rubber ; Thrombectomy/*instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDDifferent feasible and safe thrombectomy and distal protection devices have been used in clinical practice. The efficiency and safety of adjunct thrombectomy using Diver CE device (Invatec, Italy) versus Guardwire Plus device (Medtronic, USA) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were compared in patients with acute inferior ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for less than 12 hours, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 0 to 1, and total occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery (= 3 mm in diameter) in a prospective randomized single-center study.

METHODSThe primary end point was the magnitude of ST-segment resolution (STR) (> 70%) measured immediately, 90 minutes and 6 hours after PCI, myocardial blush grade and slow flow or no-reflow. Secondary end points were left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and stroke at 30 days.

RESULTSA total of 122 patients were equally divided into Diver CE group and Guardwire Plus group, which were comparable by age ((60 +/- 14) years vs (60 +/- 13) years), male (82% vs 84%), diabetes (31% vs 28%), previous coronary artery disease (25% vs 23%), onset-to-angiogram ((350 +/- 185) min vs (345 +/- 180) min), and use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (11% vs 13%). The magnitude of ST-segment resolution was similar in the two groups as ST-segment resolution > 70% (57% vs 59%; P > 0.05). Similar slow flow/no-reflow rates were observed in the Diver CE group (8%) and the Guardwire Plus group (7%). TIMI flow grade 3 was obtained in 95% vs 97% patients, respectively (P > 0.05). Myocardial blush grade 3 was similar (70% vs 72%; P > 0.05). Thirty-day clinical outcome was comparable (LVEF, 0.54 +/- 0.12 vs 0.53 +/- 0.11; death, 3% vs 3%; myocardial infarction, 2% vs 0%; and target vessel revascularization, 2% vs 2%; P > 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSRemoval of thrombus burden with the Diver CE catheter before stenting leads to similar improvement of myocardial reperfusion in patients with inferior STEMI and total occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery (= 3 mm in diameter) compared with the Guardwire Plus device, as illustrated by a reduced risk of distal embolization and improved ST-segment resolution.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Circulation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Suction ; Thrombectomy ; instrumentation ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical aspects and outcomes of endovascular recanalization of a thrombosed native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) complicated with an aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients who had a thrombosed AVF complicated with an aneurysm (two radiocephalic and 14 brachiocephalic) were included in this study. Recanalization procedures were performed by mechanical thrombectomy using the Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombectomy device and adjunctive treatments. We evaluated dose of thrombolytic agent, underlying stenosis, procedure time, technical and clinical success, and complications. The primary and secondary patency rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The thrombolytic agents used were 100000 U urokinase mixed with 500 IU heparin (n = 10) or a double dose of the mixture (n = 6). The thrombi in aneurysms were removed in all but two patients with non-flow limiting residual thrombi. One recanalization failure occurred due to a device failure. Aspiration thrombectomy was performed in 87.5% of cases (n = 14). Underlying stenoses were found in the outflow draining vein (n = 16), arteriovenous anastomosis or juxtaanastomosis area (n = 5), and the central vein (n = 3). Balloon angioplasty was performed for all stenoses in 15 patients. Two patients with a symptomatic central vein stenosis underwent insertion of a stent after balloon angioplasty. Mean procedure time was 116.3 minutes. Minor extravasation (n = 1) was resolved by manual compression. Both technical and clinical success rates were 93.8% (n = 15). The primary patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 70.5%, 54.8%, and 31.3%, respectively. The secondary patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 70.5%, 70.5%, and 47.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thrombosed AVF complicated with an aneurysm can be successfully recanalized, and secondary patency can be prolonged with endovascular treatment.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm/complications/*surgery ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteriovenous Fistula/*surgery ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical/adverse effects ; Constriction, Pathologic/complications ; Endovascular Procedures ; Equipment Failure ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use ; Heparin/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents/adverse effects ; Thrombectomy/instrumentation/*methods ; Thrombosis/etiology/*surgery ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/therapeutic use ; Vascular Patency ; Veins