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.