Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement from Autologous Pericardium with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent in an Adult Sheep Model
Published on: June 8, 2022
Evaluation of a newly developed percutaneous thrombectomy basket device in sheep with central pulmonary embolisms
Rajeev K Verma1, Jochen G Pfeffer, Tadek Stopinsky
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany. verma@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Objective:
The authors studied the development of a thrombectomy device that is adequately steerable and quickly placeable in case of extensive pulmonary embolism.
Materials And Methods:
The device consists of a self-expandable nitinol basket mounted at a catheter-tip, which allows suction and extraction of thrombus material. Five in vitro tests were performed followed by tests in 6 sheep. In vivo thrombus material was introduced through a jugular vein to produce pulmonary embolism. After catheter insertion over the right femoral vein, the basket was placed adjacent to the pulmonary embolus and the extraction procedure was performed.
Results:
In in vitro tests, the extracted thrombus amount varied between 60% and 95%. In animal experiments, the extracted amount varied between 30% and 95% as determined angiographically. Limiting factors were steerability and optimal positioning of the basket in relation to the embolus.
Conclusions:
Extraction of pulmonary embolism with the self-expanding suction basket is feasible. However, successful recanalization is limited by catheter maneuverability in the pulmonary arterial system.
