THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND IN-VITRO RESULTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSCATHETER BALLOON EMBOLECTOMY

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. To prove the feasibility of performing percutaneous transcatheter embolectomy using a funnel-shaped catheter tip and balloon embolectomy catheters. METHODS. A theoretical model is described to assess the influence of the diameter of an introductory device and coaxially introduced embolectomy catheter, A funnel-shaped catheter tip was attached to 7F, 8F, and 9F introductory sheaths, In vitro embolectomy of 5 g and 12 g thrombi was performed with 3F and 4F embolectomy catheters. RESULTS. The number of extractions required was significantly related to the ratio of the diameters of the sheaths and embolectomy catheter shafts, The combination of a 7F sheath with a 4F embolectomy catheter required the greatest number of extractions (8.4 +/- 1.7). The least number of extractions was needed for the combination of a 9F sheath with 4F and 3F embolectomy catheters (1.6 +/- 0.7 and 1.8 +/- 0.4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS. Our results indicate that percutaneous embolectomy with balloon embolectomy catheters is feasible. However, further research is necessary before the final catheter design is chosen.