A Combined Technique for Peripheral Arterial Embolectomy

Abstract

One hundred ten consecutive peripheral arterial embolectomies were performed from 1964 to 1971. In addition to routine use of balloon catheters in all patients, a Dormia catheter was used for removal of distal propagated thrombi. This device has a collapsable double-wire basket in its tip, which can be extruded after the catheter is passed down the artery. The Dormia catheter was utilized in all patients after no further thromboembolic material could be recovered with the Fogarty catheter, and, in almost all cases, additional thrombus was recovered. The patient mortality was 22.5% and the procedure mortality was 19%, 64% of the deaths being related to the cardiovascular system. The amputation rate for patients explored within the first 24 hours was 8.8%, while after 24 hours it was 17.4%. The overall limb salvage among survivors was 92.1%. Complications related to the Dormia catheter and to postoperative anticoagulation were few.