Percutaneous rotational and aspiration atherectomy in infrainguinal peripheral arterial occlusive disease: a multicenter pilot study.

Purpose: To report a safety and efficacy study of the first rotational aspiration atherectomy system (Pathway PV) for the treatment of arterial lesions below the femoral bifurcation.

Methods: From December 2005 to February 2006, 15 patients (9 men; mean age 71+/-9 years) with Rutherford stage 2 to 5 lower limb ischemia were enrolled at 3 study sites. Target lesions were in the superficial femoral (n = 7, 47%), popliteal (n = 7, 47%), and posterior tibial (n = 1, 6%) arteries. Mean diameter stenosis was 97%+/-10%; mean lesion length was 61+/-62 mm (range 5-250). The primary study endpoint was the 30-day serious adverse event (SAE) rate.

Results: Interventional success (residual stenosis <30%) was achieved in all lesions (100%). Stand alone atherectomy was performed in 6 (40%) patients, adjunctive balloon angioplasty in 7 (47%), and stenting/endografting in 2 (13%). The SAE rate at 30 days was 20% (3/15), including 1 perforation due to an unrecognized displacement of the guidewire (sealed with an endograft), 1 false aneurysm at the puncture site (successful duplex-guided compression therapy), and 1 dissection in conjunction with a distal embolism (stent implantation and aspiration thrombectomy). Primary patency rates measured by duplex ultrasound at 1 and 6 months were 100% and 73%, respectively; the TLR rate was 0% after 6 months. The ankle-brachial index increased significantly from 0.54+/-0.3 at baseline to 0.89+/-0.16, 0.88+/-0.19, and 0.81+/-0.20 (p<0.05) at discharge, 1 month, and 6 months, respectively. Mean Rutherford categories were 2.92+/-1.19 (range 1-5), 0.64+/-1.12 (range 0-1), and 0.83+/-1.33 (range 0-3) at the same time points (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The application of this new atherectomy device was feasible in all cases. The serious adverse event rate was moderate; however, all events were solved during the index procedure. The 0% 6-month TLR rate is promising.