The rheolytic thrombectomy AngioJet™ is a safe and technically feasible method for treating acute and sub-acute occluding lesions in the visceral arteries

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the AngioJet™ device in the endovascular treatment of visceral ischemia with stenotic or occlusive lesions. 
 
Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients treated for visceral artery occlusion with thrombectomy using the AngioJet™ (Boston Scientific, MA, USA). Inclusion criteria: patients with stenotic or occluding lesion in visceral arteries including renal and mesenteric arteries, who received endovascular treatment with AngioJet™. 
 
Results: Eighteen patients with acute and sub-acute visceral arteries occlusions underwent endovascular thrombectomy. In twelve cases the procedure was successful, and the patients were discharged with patent target arteries. Four cases required re-intervention and two cases ended with a fatal complication. The technical and clinical success rate in our study was 88,9% (sixteen out of eighteen), these patients were discharged from hospital with patent target arteries. 
 
Conclusions: The thrombectomy using the AngioJet™ device is an effective and feasible method for the treatment of stenotic or occluding lesions of the visceral arteries with rapid post-interventional clinical improvement and minimal adverse events.

Dr. Bachar Al Haj is a resident doctor in the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at St. Franziskus Hospital in Münster, Germany. He is presently enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Münster. Dr. Al Haj has participated in various volunteer projects and has recently published extensively on the endovascular treatment of visceral ischemia.