Mechanical Thrombectomy And Thrombolysis In The Treatment Of Acute Limb Ischemia

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Acute limb ischemia is defined as sudden reduction of the perfusion of an extremity that produces symptoms ranging from a worsening of pre-existing symptoms to a dramatic threat to limb viability. Beyond the risk of limb loss, acute arterial occlusion is associated with high mortality in patients.

Etiologies of acute limb ischemia include thrombosis or embolism. With the exception of an embolus, where an embolectomy can quickly restore normal arterial flow, thrombosis of a native artery is associated with a complex occlusion, which includes underlying atherosclerosis.

Ali Amin, M.D., R.V.T., F.A C.S., F.A.C.C., Director of Endovascular Interventions a the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, reviewed the technique of combining mechanical thrombectomy with thrombolysis as opposed to using either as sole therapies.

Dr. Amin stated that "a combination of a mechanical thrombectomy catheter and a thrombolytic agent is even more powerful in restoring arterial circulation in an acutely ischemic leg." He then delineated the major advantages of this technique, including a faster restoration of blood flow, and a lower overall required dose of the thrombolytic agent (that can cause unwanted bleeding elsewhere).

This technique, while maximizing limb salvage, minimizes the risk of wound infection and cardiac complications associated with open procedures.

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Source
Pauline T. Mayer
www.ptmhcm.com