Mechanical device breaks up blood clots more effectively than traditional method

Washington, DC— A mechanical device effectively dissipates blood clots in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and works faster than traditional therapy, according to research presented at the 2008 Society of Interventional Radiology Meeting.

Gerard O’ Sullivan, MD, of University College Hospital in Galway, Ireland, and colleagues tested the device on blood clots in 823 limbs of 771 patients. After undergoing pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with the device, 97% of patients had grade 1 or 2 lysis.

The method was most effective in patients with acute DVT. Nearly 54% of patients had grade 3 lysis. Approximately 43% of patients had grade 2 lysis.

The device, called Trellis-8 Peripheral Infusion System, is comprised of a central propeller with two inflating balloons at either end. The Trellis-8 Peripheral Infusion System works by injecting a thrombolytic agent into a clot. The drug then dissolves the clot, allowing it to be removed via suction.

This process takes an average of 2 hours. Patients are permitted to leave the hospital the same day as the procedure and are even encouraged to walk around afterward.

This is in comparison to the more traditional catheter-directed thrombolysis. Dr O’ Sullivan said this method is less effective at dispersing the clot. Patients undergoing this procedure face the risk that the clot may only be loosened, rather than broken up, and move to the lungs.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis is also more cumbersome. The catheter must remain in place for an average of 3 days and requires constant monitoring. There is also an increased risk of bleeding from the systemic application of the medications.

Dr O’ Sullivan presented these findings at this year’s Society of Interventional Radiology Meeting, which took place March 15-20 at the Washington Convention Center. Preliminary results of this study were published in the February supplement of Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.