Jetstream® atherectomy for subacutely or chronically occluded femoro-popliteal prosthetic bypass grafts: a report of three cases.

A failed infrainguinal bypass is associated with poor prognosis for the limb in question, particularly if the graft was initially placed for limb salvage. Revascularization of occluded grafts is an important but challenging issue. We present three patients with occluded femoro-popliteal graft in whom the Jetstream(®) system was used successfully to perform thromboatherectomy. The Jetstream(®) system is minimally invasive and avoids use of thrombolytic therapy and its associated costs and complications. The device seems to be highly effective in removing thrombus beyond the acute setting.