A new thrombectomy catheter device (AngioJet) for the disruption of thrombi: An in vitro study

In this study we examined a new thrombectomy catheter device. Different kinds of in vitro generated thrombi and cadaver thrombi were disrupted in test tubes. The mean disruption rate (and disruption time for 1 g of thrombus) was 225 ± 65 mg/sec (5 ± 2 sec) for whole‐blood, 117 ± 60 mg/sec (12 ± 9 sec) for fibrin, 41 ± 18 mg/sec (30 ± 18 sec) for mixed, 70 ± 42 mg/sec (17 ± 5 sec) for unorganized, 45 ± 8 mg/sec (22 ± 4 sec) for partly, and 5 ± 1 mg/sec (216 ± 29 sec) for completely organized cadaver thrombi (P < 0.05). More than 99% of fragmented particles of whole‐blood thrombi were 0–12 μm in diameter. The particle size of fibrin, mixed, and cadaver thrombi was similar, with 25%–40% of particles between 0–12 μm, 55%–71% >12–24 μm, and 2%–7% >24 μm. The device may be effectively used in the therapy of massive pulmonary embolism or acute peripheral and coronary artery syndromes when medical thrombolysis is contraindicated and organization of thrombus is absent. Further studies need to be performed to investigate the potential effects of particle microembolization. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:381–389, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.