The potential mechanisms of bradyarrhythmias associated with AngioJet thrombectomy.

The AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System (Possis Medical, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an effective thrombectomy device, but it may cause bradycardias ranging from mild bradycardia to asystole and hypotension in some patients. The incidence appears to be higher with the proximity of the device to the heart. Several hypotheses have attempted to explain and attenuate this phenomenon.