DVT Treatment Removes Damaging Blood Clots

The researchers used the AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy system, a device that is guided by an interventional radiologist into the vein and advanced to the blood clot. The device sprays a diluted clot-dissolving drug into the clot at high force, helping to break up the clot and deliver the drug to a larger surface area throughout the clot. A powerful saline jet within the device creates a vacuum that draws the clot into the catheter, thus removing it from the body as the catheter is withdrawn in a spiral motion.

The researchers found that 51% of the patients treated had complete clot removal as well as restoration of blood flow, while 31% of the patients had a substantial amount of the clot removed with blood flow restored. Forty-three percent of patients were completed at the initial setting and did not need further infusion of medicine to dissolve the clot. Follow-up ultrasound exams at six months showed 78% of the veins to be open with no DVT and 83% open at 12 months with no DVT. The study was presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 32nd annual scientific meeting, held during March 2007 in Seattle (WA, USA).

Post-thrombotic syndrome is a common complication of DVT that is under-recognized and potentially preventable if we are able to dissolve the clots early, before permanent damage to the vein occurs,” said lead author interventional radiologist Mark J. Garcia, M.D. "If we treat these patients within 14 days of their onset of symptoms, we are very successful in clearing the clot. Because the treatment is more rapid, safe, and effective, patients are more likely to receive it and prevention of permanent damage is more likely to occur.”

The AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System is manufactured by Possis Medical (Minneapolis, MN, USA)



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