Catheterization therapy of thromboembolic arterial occlusions of the lower extremities

: Thromboembolic occlusions of peripheral arteries may threaten the vitality of extremities and sometimes patients life. Till recently the main therapeutic method was Fogarty surgical thromboembolectomy. A less invasive procedure is systemic (intravenous) and local (intraarterial) thrombolysis. All these method have, however, certain disadvantages. A new approach to the treatment for acute and subacute occlusions of peripheral arteries represents catheter thromboembolectomy, which involves the following: a) Aspiration of thromboembolic material--percutaneous thrombembolextraction (PTEE), b) Local infiltration thrombolysis where the catheter penetrates through the occlusion while simultaneously administering a fibrinolytic agent, c) PTA of residual stenosis in case of thrombotic occlusion. A combination of these methods of treatment for thromboembolic occlusions of peripheral arteries is very effective and enables to use a small amount of thrombolytic agent. The thrombosis and the underlying atherosclerotic stenosis are resolved during the same session.