Novel Applications for Endogafts

Quality improvement guidelines for percutaneous catheter-directed intra-arterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy for acute lower-limb ischemia

Percutaneous catheter-directed intra-arterial thrombolysis is a safe and effective method of treating acute and subacute lower limb ischemia, as long as accurate patient selection and procedural monitoring are ensured. Although larger, controlled trials are needed to establish the role of PTDs in ALI, mechanical thrombectomy could currently be applied combined with lytic infusion in selected cases where rapid recanalization is required or as a stand-alone therapy when the administration of thrombolytic agents is contraindicated.

[Arterial occlusive disease. Catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy]

Local catheter-directed thrombolysis of extremity artery or bypass thromboembolic occlusions is a promising therapeutic option with comparatively low complication rates, if the severity of the ischemia does not require urgent surgical revascularization. This therapeutic decision has to be made by a vascular team taking individual circumstances and contraindications into consideration. Apart from an adequate dosage, a strict intrathrombotic administration of the fibrinolytic agent and careful clinical monitoring including surveillance of the coagulation system is necessary and intensive care unit resources should be used. If necessary the thrombolysis therapy can be combined with mechanical thrombaspiration and balloon dilatation or surgical correction of an underlying lesion.