Initial Experience With the 6-F and 8-F Indigo Thrombectomy System for Acute Renovisceral Occlusive Events

To examine the safety and effectiveness of the new large-bore Indigo thrombectomy catheters to treat patients with acute renovisceral occlusion without the need of thrombolytic agents.

Between November 2015 and 2016, 7 consecutive patients (mean age 65±5 years; 5 men) with acute renovisceral artery occlusion were treated with the new large-bore (6-F and 8-F) vacuum-assisted thrombectomy catheters. The occluded vessels were 6 renal arteries and 3 superior mesenteric arteries (SMAs); 5 of the 9 thromboses were in bridging stent-grafts associated with branched endografts. Mean lesion length was 63±36 mm. For the SMA and all bridging stent-grafts, 8-F catheters are routinely used through a brachial access, whereas 6-F aspiration catheters were used in native renal arteries. Technical success was defined as restoration of antegrade blood flow without the need of lysis or alternative thrombectomy/revascularization strategies. Safety endpoints were any in-hospital major adverse events. Pre- and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were compared.

Technical success was 100% with no major adverse events or fatal bleeding. The mean amount of aspirated blood was 219±97 mL. The mean hemoglobin and hematocrit values were 13.1±2.1 g/dL and 39%±6% prior to and 11.6±2.2 g/dL (p=0.001) and 34%±6% (p<0.0001) directly after the intervention, respectively.

The first assessment of the new large-bore Indigo thrombectomy catheters showed them to be an effective and safe lysis-free frontline therapy for acute renovisceral artery occlusion in a small cohort of patients. New users should be fully aware of the potential blood loss during aspiration.