LatisTM catheter: New technology for thrombectomy of vascular access grafts

The most common complication of vascular access surgery is thrombosis. This study compared the gold standard Fogarty Thrombectomy Catheter, to the new latis Catheter with an advanced monofilament matrix.

30 patients with thrombosed access grafts were randomly assigned to undergo thrombectomy with the Fogarty or latis catheter. An angioscope measured remaining graft thrombi.

Twenty-nine of 30 subjects were successfully thrombectomized. No statistical differences in age, gender, race, or extension graft requirements were found. Catheter use in the latis group was: 1 in 14 procedures, and 2 in 1 procedure; Fogarty group: 1 in 10 procedures, 2 in 3 procedures, and 3 in 2 procedures. The average number of catheter passes was: latis 3.06 (1-6 passes) and Fogarty 4.13 (1-9 passes). A trend in favor of the latis catheter was demonstrated; however, statistical significance was not reached (p = 0.067). The overall 6-month primary patency rates were latis (40%) and Fogarty (30%). The estimated patency at the 50th percentile for latis is 120 days and Fogarty 108 days. Statistical significance was not reached with a p-value of the Log-Rank statistic of 0.68 and a p-value of the Wilcoxon statistic of 0.78.

The latis and Fogarty catheters are very similar. However, the latis balloon is more rugged with fewer catheters used and reduced number of passes. A difference in primary patency could not be demonstrated. The angioscope identified significant residual thrombus despite no returning thrombus from the catheter. Consequently, our protocol is modified to include the angioscope.