Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Experimental endoscopic endovascular cannulation: a novel approach to thrombolysis in retinal vessel occlusion
Lars-Olof Hattenbach1, Joachim Puchta, Ingo Hilgenberg
1Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen, Germany. hattenbach.lo@klilu.de
Purpose:
Recent studies suggest that the cannulation of retinal vessels may provide a potential access route for the administration of thrombolytic agents in retinal vessel occlusion. However, the major problem with available techniques is the limited visualization of retinal vessels with conventional surgical microscopes, making it difficult to effectively control the targeted injection of drugs.
Methods:
The authors developed a novel single-piece catheter system for the endoscopically guided puncture of microvessels. Experimental punctures of retinal vessels with injection of fluid were performed in porcine cadaver eyes using a standard high-resolution gradient index microendoscope introduced through the pars plana.
Results:
Endoscopically guided punctures were successfully performed in porcine branch retinal veins at various distances from the optic disc. Injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), hypertonic solution (hyper HES), or normal saline solution into the vessel lumen was accomplished under direct endoscopic view in a safe and reliable manner.
Conclusions:
Endoscopically guided puncture of retinal microvessels is feasible and can be performed through a pars plana entry without additional micromanipulation devices. This novel technique may be a safe and effective approach to catheter-directed endovascular thrombolysis in retinal vascular occlusive diseases.
