Percutaneous mechanical thrombolysis. A comparative study of various rotational catheter systems.

In vitro fragmentation of thrombi was performed with the Kensey catheter, the Bildsoe catheter, the Günther aspiration catheter, and two modified aspiration catheters in a model circuit under femoral and pulmonary artery flow conditions. In the femoral artery model all tested catheters worked sufficiently: particles larger than 1000 microns in the effluent comprised only 1.27% +/- 0.46% of the initial thrombus weight. In the treatment of larger thrombi (pulmonary artery model), the action of rotational aspiration devices, and in particular of the Bildsoe catheter, was limited: fibrin filaments winding around the rotating tip led to catheter obstruction. The Kensey catheter yielded best results in the fragmentation of large thrombi.