Fluoroscopically assisted thromboembolectomy: an improved method for treating acute arterial occlusions

What Is the Best Treatment for Acute Limb Ischemia?

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a vascular emergency associated with high rates of limb loss and mortality. Management of these patients is challenging given the severe systemic illness resulting from tissue ischemia and the high incidence of preexisting comorbid conditions and underlying peripheral arterial disease. Expeditious diagnosis, anticoagulation, and revascularization are of utmost importance in reducing morbidity. Revascularization may be accomplished using open, endovascular, or hybrid techniques. Approach to revascularization depends on the severity of ischemia, location of occlusion, cause, chance of recovery, comorbidities, and available resources.

Thromboembolectomy for acute lower limb ischemia: Contemporary outcomes of two surgical methods from a single tertiary center

OBJECTIVES

The current treatment of acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) includes open surgical and percutaneous pharmaco-mechanical thromboembolectomy (TE). We hereby report our results with open surgical TE over a 10-year period and compare our outcomes using routine fluoroscopic assisted TE (FATE) with blind and selective on demand fluoroscopic-assisted TE (BSTE).

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent open surgical TE for acute lower limb ischemia at a single tertiary center between 2008 and 2018. Patients were divided into a group who underwent BSTE and another who underwent routine FATE. Data on presentation, medical history, surgery performed, and short-term outcomes were retrieved from medical record. Comparison between baseline characteristics and outcomes of both groups were made using t-test and chi-square analysis.

RESULTS

Over 10 years, 108 patients underwent surgical TE. Thirty-day mortality rate and 30-day major lower extremity amputation rate in the cohort were 12.0% and 6.5%, respectively. On subgroup analysis, 53 patients were treated by BSTE and 55 patients by FATE. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality rate (11.3% vs 12.7%, p-value = .82) and 30-day major amputation rate (9.4% vs 3.6%, p-value = .454) between the two groups. Local anesthesia was more frequently performed in patients undergoing FATE (58.2% vs 24.5%, p-value < .001). More than one arteriotomy was more frequently required in patients undergoing BSTE (2.6% vs 45.5%, p-value < .001). Patients with infrapopliteal involvement undergoing FATE required less further interventions such as patch angioplasty (2.6% vs 36.4%, p-value < .001) and bypass (2.6% vs 22.7%, p-value = .01).

CONCLUSION

ALLI remains a disease of high morbidity and mortality. Open surgical TE offers an effective approach to treat ALLI. The addition of fluoroscopy to the conduction of TE could be associated with valuable benefits, especially in patients with infra-popliteal involvement. Randomized controlled trials are needed to objectively assess the therapeutic potential of FATE.

Comparison of digital subtraction angiography combined arterial thrombectomy versus simple arterial thrombectomy in the treatment of acute lower limb ischemia

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) combined arterial thrombectomy versus simple arterial thrombectomy in the treatment of acute lower limb ischemia (ALI).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study collected the clinical data from 124 patients (128 affected lower limbs) with ALI who underwent emergency surgery from March 2010 to November 2019. Patients were consecutively divided into Group A and Group B. Patients in Group A underwent simple arterial thrombectomy via the Fogarty catheterization. Patients in Group B underwent arterial thrombectomy, and the DSA was performed during the surgery. The differences in the success rate of primary surgery, the second intervention rate, and the amputation/mortality rate within 30-days after surgery were compared.

RESULTS

In Group A, 4 of 70 limbs (5.7%) were amputated, 54 of 70 limbs (77.1%) had improved blood flow, 14 of 70 limbs (20.0%) received a second intervention, and 3 of 68 patients (4.4%) died within 30 days. In Group B, 1 of 58 limbs (1.7%) was amputated, 56 of 58 limbs (96.6%) had improved blood flow, 3 of 58 limbs (5.2%) received a second intervention, and 2 of 56 patients (3.5%) died within 30-days. The success rate of primary surgery, the second intervention rate, and the amputation rate of Group B were significantly lower than Group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Arterial thrombectomy combined with DSA may effectively improve the clinical efficacy of patients with ALI.

[Hybrid interventions for acute thrombosis after reconstructive operations on lower-limb arteries]

BACKGROUND

A steadily growing number of primary lower extremity arterial reconstructions is inevitably followed by the need to perform repeat interventions. Shunt reocclusion may become a cause of return of ischaemia to the initial level, may significantly increase the degree of limb-threatening chronic ischaemia, as well as lead to the development of an acute condition requiring urgent corrective measures to be taken. A reoperation currently continues to remain the standard of treatment. Despite advances in modern resuscitation, the postoperative mortality rate in such patients reaches 20%.

AIM

This study was aimed at assessing feasibility of hybrid technologies in acute thrombosis after reconstructive operations on lower-limb arteries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the results of treatment of 66 consecutive patients urgently admitted to the City Clinical Hospital named after S.S. Yudin from 2015 to 2020 with acute lower limb ischaemia caused by acute occlusion of the zone of primary vascular reconstructions previously performed at other medical facilities. Depending on the method of surgical treatment, the patients were divided into two groups. The Study group included 20 patients subjected to open surgical interventions followed by angiographic control and using one or other type of X-ray-endovascular treatment. Endovascular interventions were performed for more than 70% stenoses in the major arteries and zone of the previously performed operation. The Comparison group comprised 46 patients treated without endovascular technologies. They were subjected to thrombectomy from the vascular construction with/without reconstructive-restorative operations.

RESULTS

Seventeen (85%) of the 20 Study group patients were operated on in a stagewise manner, with the first stage consisting of an open intervention - thrombectomy and reconstruction followed by angiographic control and roentgenendovascular treatment. The remaining three (15%) patients underwent simultaneous interventions. In the postoperative period, limb amputations were performed in ten (22%) Comparison group patients and in one (5%) Study group patient (p=0.049). There were three (7%) lethal outcomes in the Comparison group, with none in the Study group.

CONCLUSION

A combination of open and endovascular interventions in patients with shunt occlusion after vascular reconstructions makes it possible to reveal the cause of shunt occlusion, as well as to remove multilevel lesions, minimizing surgical wound and contributing to reducing the amputation rate.

Combined treatment (image-guided thrombectomy and endovascular therapy with open femoral access) for acute lower limb ischemia: Clinical efficacy and outcomes

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combined treatment (image guided thrombectomy and endovascular therapy with open femoral access) for acute lower limb ischemia.

Methods

From 2009 to 2017, 52 patients (44 men, eight women, mean 67.2 years) underwent combined treatment for acute thrombotic occlusion of lower extremity arteries. The patients presented with acute limb ischemia and we selectively perform combined treatment in the cases with challenging clinical considerations (e.g. various spectrum of thrombus, underlying atherosclerotic lesions). Combined treatment included cutdown of common femoral artery, thrombectomy using a Fogarty balloon catheter, balloon angioplasty, stenting, and catheter-introduced thrombus fragmentation and aspiration. Patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed and follow-up data were collected. The technical and clinical success rates and limb salvage were assessed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze primary patency rates and overall survival rates. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the factors related to clinical outcomes.

Results

Technical and clinical success rate was 90.4% and 80.8%, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 26.5 ± 25.8 months. Primary patency was 91.4%, 86.1%, and 74.6% at six months, 1-, and 2-year, respectively. Limb salvage without amputation was 88.5% (46/52). The overall survival rates at six months, 1-, and 3-year were 82.6%, 80.2, and 56.9%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 5.8% (3/52). Univariate analysis showed that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) type (balloon versus stent) was related to clinical failure.

Conclusions

Combined treatment can be effective and safe for ALI patients even under challenging clinical conditions.

Acute on chronic limb ischemia: From surgical embolectomy and thrombolysis to endovascular options

After the invention of the balloon catheter by Fogarty in 1963, surgical thromboembolectomy was considered the gold standard treatment for many years in patients with acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI). ALLI is a dramatic event, carrying a high risk of amputation and perioperative morbidity and mortality. The evolution of endovascular technologies has resulted in a variety of therapeutic options to establish arterial patency. In the 1970s, Dotter first introduced the idea of clot lysis in the treatment of ALLI, which was modified to catheter-directed thrombolysis, and now clot aspiration techniques. Currently, the majority of ALLI (about 70%) is arterial thrombosis, which generally occurs in the setting of preexisting vascular lesion. This condition is very common in patients with diabetes. Clinical presentation in case of thrombosis on atherosclerotic stenosis (so called "acute on chronic ischemia") may be less severe, but treatment is generally more challenging than ALLI due to embolism, considering the complexity in device trackability through the diseased vessels, potential vessel injury, incomplete revascularization, and need of correction of underlying vascular lesions. Although surgery is still a treatment option, especially for ALLI, endovascular interventions have assumed a prominent role in restoring limb perfusion. In this review, the treatment options for ALLI are detailed from surgical thromboembolectomy to thrombolysis and current endovascular techniques, including mechanical fragmentation, rheolytic thrombectomy, and aspiration thrombectomy. The evolution to endovascular therapies has resulted in improved clinical outcomes and lower rates of morbidity.

A novel fluoroscopic-assisted balloon thrombectomy technique for thrombosed hemodialysis prosthetic grafts [corrected]

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that stenosis of the arterial anastomosis of thrombosed hemodialysis (HD) grafts, unmasked after conventional thrombectomy, very often necessitate subsequent arterial angioplasty. The aim of this study was to describe a novel fluoroscopic-assisted balloon thrombectomy technique which permits simultaneous arterial angioplasty (should this is required) for thrombosed HD grafts.

METHODS

Thirty patients with 36 thrombotic episodes of their prosthetic HD grafts participated in this study. A balloon angioplasty catheter is placed beyond the arterial anastomosis, over a guidewire; the balloon is inflated with contrast solution under fluoroscopy and pulled back to remove the arterial thrombus from the anastomosis. Any coexisting stenosis revealed by balloon indentation is completely dilated at that time, rather than after the thrombectomy. Mechanical thrombolysis of the graft and venous outflow is then performed with the AngioJet catheter (Possis Medical, Inc).

RESULTS

Technical and clinical success rates (the latter defined as one subsequent HD session) of the procedure were 100% and 94%, respectively. No complications, including arterial embolism, vessel rupture or pulmonary embolism, were encountered. Primary assisted patency at 3 and 6 months was 51% and 32%, respectively, while functional secondary patency at the same follow-up points was 78%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique is safe and also effective in both short- and long-term follow-up. Because it offers convenience, since the treatment of arterial anastomotic stenoses is accomplished in one (rather than two) steps, this method deserves further investigation.

Endovascular techniques in the treatment of acute limb ischemia: thrombolytic agents, trials, and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy techniques

Acute peripheral arterial occlusion is associated with great risk to the patient's limb and life. Failure to restore adequate arterial flow in a timely fashion can result in the development of irreversible tissue infarction and the opportunity for limb salvage is lost. On the other hand, patients with acute limb ischemia are often elderly and frail, and early invasive open surgical procedures without adequate preoperative stabilization and preparation result in an unacceptably high risk of perioperative cardiopulmonary complications and death. Percutaneous methods designed to remove the intraluminal thrombus offer an alternative to immediate open surgical revascularization. These less invasive techniques constitute an option that is better tolerated in medically compromised patients. The causative lesion can be precisely identified and the patency of outflow vessels can be restored. The lesion can then be addressed on an elective basis in a well-prepared patient, using percutaneous or open surgical techniques to effect a durable long-term solution. The treatment options include primary surgical revascularization, thrombolytic therapy, percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, or a combination of any of the three. Clinicians who themselves have the skills to perform a wide assortment of interventions ranging from percutaneous therapies through open surgical revascularization are best able to arrive at the most rational option for treating a specific clinical scenario. This article is directed at providing the practicing surgeon with a basic fund of knowledge on the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies useful in treating patients with peripheral arterial occlusion. Only in this manner can we expect to reduce the high rate of morbidity and mortality that remains associated with these events.

Digital fluoroscopy as a valuable adjunct to open vascular operations

The increasing availability of and vascular surgeons' familiarity with digital cine-fluoroscopy in the operating room has been facilitated by the advent and growing popularity of endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair and other endovascular techniques that are being incorporated into vascular surgical practice. Digital cine-fluoroscopy can also be used as a valuable adjunct to standard open vascular procedures in several ways including: performance of completion angiography, fluoroscopically-assisted thromboembolectomy, intraoperative planning angiography, fluoroscopically-guided pressure gradient measurements, achieving vascular control of proximal arteries, intraoperative thrombolysis of compromised outflow tracts, and angioplasty and stenting of lesions detected intraoperatively. These techniques can improve the outcome of standard vascular procedures by permitting the identification of inflow, outflow, conduit, and anastomotic defects intraoperatively and guiding their repair. Additionally, in many cases they can reduce the amount of exposure required, reduce intraoperative blood loss, and minimize trauma to vessels during thrombectomy. Fluoroscopic guidance can facilitate and improve these and other aspects of standard open vascular procedures. Conversely, the ability to perform open interventions can facilitate the performance of many endovascular interventions. It is becoming increasingly important to be facile with both open and E fluoroscopically guided techniques in order to fully treat the spectrum of vascular disease in an optimum fashion.

Primary stenting of embolic occlusions in iliac arteries

PURPOSE

To present our experience with the use of primary stenting to treat embolic iliac artery occlusions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Six patients (5 men; mean age 50.6+/-14.1 years range 37-72) underwent primary stenting for embolic occlusions lodged in the common iliac and/or external iliac arteries and were retrospectively evaluated. The probable reason for the embolism was atrial fibrillation in 4 patients and acute myocardial infarction in 2. In 5 patients, an additional embolus was demonstrated in the renal, mesenteric, popliteal, and middle cerebral arteries. Iliac emboli were treated with primary implantation of self-expanding stents followed by very low-pressure balloon dilation. In all cases, primary stenting was technically successful and provided immediate recanalization with elimination or reduction of symptoms. There was no procedure-related complication. During the mean 11-month follow-up (range 1-18), all stented iliac arteries remained patient. One patient died due to cerebral embolism at 21 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this experience is limited, excellent midterm results suggest that primary stenting may be a valuable alternative in the treatment of embolic occlusions of the iliac arteries in selected cases.

Fluoroscopy-assisted dual-catheter thromboembolectomy: a new technique useful in patients with embolization to arteries of disproportionate diameters

Distal embolization is a complication of aortoiliac aneurysm repair. Fluoroscopy-assisted catheter thromboembolectomy is useful in removing popliteal and tibial emboli from the femoral approach. Concomitant presence of aortoiliac and popliteal aneurysms, a known association, may present a difficult challenge to embolus extraction. Currently available embolectomy catheters large enough for thrombus extraction from a popliteal aneurysm are too large for safe tibial artery cannulation, and tibial balloon catheters cannot be enlarged sufficiently to transfer the thrombus through the aneurysmal popliteal segment. We treated a patient who embolized to his popliteal aneurysm and distal tibial circulation following aortoiliac aneurysm repair. A fluoroscopy-assisted dual-catheter technique was used to extract the thrombus through the femoral approach, eliminating the need for direct popliteal or tibial exploration. This technique uses two balloon catheters of graduated size, maneuvered concurrently under fluoroscopic guidance into the tibial and popliteal circulation. The smaller tibial catheter is inflated, and thrombus is withdrawn into the popliteal segment. The larger popliteal balloon catheter is then inflated distal to the smaller catheter, and both catheters are withdrawn simultaneously to deliver the clot through the femoral arteriotomy. This technique can be useful for successful balloon catheter extraction of thrombus via remote access, in an arterial system with variable diameter, eliminating the need for direct popliteal or tibial exploration.

Peripheral arterial applications of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy

Various devices have been introduced for the purpose of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT). These devices show promise as a valuable treatment option in acute arterial thrombotic occlusions, in addition to the gold-standard surgical method, the Fogarty balloon embolectomy, and local fibrinolysis therapy. Local fibrinolytic therapy cannot be used in the presence of contraindications, and can be time-consuming in limb threatening situations. Surgical intervention can also result in intimal vessel wall injury and is of limited value in infrageniculate occlusions. In this review, currently available PMT devices for peripheral arterial applications will be introduced, and their advantages, drawbacks and finally the reported clinical experience with these devices will be presented.

The new operating room environment

As endovascular procedures become more complex, the need for a suitably equipped endovascular suite is recognized. This specialized theater combines the features of the traditional operating room and the interventional radiology suite. The availability of high-resolution digital fluoroscopy facilitates the precise deployment of endovascular grafts and stents. In addition, combined open and endovascular procedures can be performed simultaneously. In this new environment, vascular surgeons are able to select the most appropriate operation without hindrance.

Use of digital ciné-fluoroscopy and catheter-directed techniques to improve and simplify standard vascular procedures

Digital ciné-fluoroscopy and catheter-directed treatments have become indispensable tools in the armamentarium of surgeons performing vascular procedures. These new technologies not only improve and simplify the performance of standard vascular operations but also allow surgeons to perform a wide range of interventions previously unavailable in the operating room.

Should initial clamping for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair be proximal or distal to minimise embolisation?

OBJECTIVES

to determine whether clamping proximally or distally on the infrarenal aorta during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair increases the overall embolic potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

a sheath was placed in the mid-infrarenal aorta of 16 dogs. In eight animals a cross-clamp was placed at the aortic trifurcation, and in another eight animals it was placed in the immediate subrenal position. Under fluoroscopy blood flow within the infrarenal aorta was evaluated by contrast and particle injections. Grey-scale analysis was used to calculate contrast density. Particle distribution was followed fluoroscopically and confirmed pathologically.

RESULTS

fifty-seven+/-24% of injected contrast remained within the aorta with distal clamping while 97+/-7% did so with proximal clamping (p<0.01). With distal aortic clamping 6.2+/-1. 3 out of 10 injected particles remained within the aorta after 15 seconds and only 0.8+/-0.8 remained after 5 min. With proximal aortic clamping, all 10 of the particles remained within the aortic lumen for the full 5 minutes (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

initial distal clamping minimises distal embolisation, but may result in renal and/or visceral embolisation. Initial proximal clamping prevents proximal embolisation and does not promote distal embolisation. We recommend initial proximal clamping in aortic aneurysm surgery to minimise the overall risk of embolisation.

Turf issues: how do we resolve them and optimize patient selection for intervention and ultimately patient care?

Turf issues exist largely because of emerging endovascular technologies. Vascular surgeons must develop skills with catheters, guidewires, and imaging techniques. Turf battles will result from unrestrained competition. Center/partnerships between vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists will minimize these turf battles and facilitate cross-training, which will improve the functioning of both specialists. These center/partnerships will, therefore, provide the best, most cost-effective care. Finally, all specialists who are interested in vascular disease must recognize the dangers of overproduction of competing specialists. More importantly, their leaders and specialty societies must make a serious effort to deal with this problem fairly.

David M. Hume Memorial Lecture. Impact of endovascular technology on the practice of vascular surgery

Endovascular treatment techniques have already replaced some vascular operations. The likelihood is that new endovascular techniques involving stents and stented grafts will replace additional vascular operations. All these treatments involve the use of catheter-guidewire, balloon, and imaging modalities, particularly digital fluoroscopy. These modalities have already and will increasingly help to improve and simplify standard vascular operations such as thromboembolectomy, infrainguinal bypasses, and management of aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas. Accordingly, vascular surgeons must become familiar with and use these endovascular methods and techniques. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways which includes working as part of a multidisciplinary vascular treatment group in which various specialists collaborate to provide the best, most cost-effective care to vascular disease patients.