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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Long-term results of percutaneous aspiration embolectomy
H J Wagner1, E E Starck, P Reuter
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
Purpose:
To evaluate percutaneous aspiration embolectomy (PAE) as a therapeutic alternative to surgical embolectomy.
Methods:
Eighty-five patients underwent 90 PAEs for embolic occlusions below the inguinal ligament between October 1987 and September 1992 in a prospective study with a 96% follow-up.
Results:
The first PAE was clinically successful in 77 limbs (86%). In eight cases, major amputation was necessary. Eleven of 13 failures were observed in limbs with acutely threatening ischemia, but the success rate was independent of the time interval from embolism to the PAE procedure. The 30-day mortality rate was 3.5%. The cumulative primary patency rate at 1 and 4 years was 68% and 58%, respectively. The limb salvage rate was 88% after 1 year and 86% after 4 years. The patency rate was significantly better and the mortality was significantly lower in patients receiving long-term anticoagulation with coumadin.
Conclusion:
PAE is highly effective in the treatment of embolic occlusions of the lower leg arteries and should be considered as an alternative to Fogarty balloon embolectomy.
