A new thrombosuction catheter for coronary use: initial results with clinical and angiographic follow-up in seven patients.

The presence of thrombus in a coronary vessel during percutaneous revascularisation can prevent adequate restoration of flow; it is also associated with an increased risk of distal embolization. We report the acute results and longer-term outcome of seven patients who underwent treatment with a new hydrodynamic thrombectomy catheter (Hydrolyser), designed for the rapid removal of acute, non-organised thrombus from coronary vessels. Three patients demonstrated total thrombotic occlusion of a coronary saphenous vein bypass graft (SVBG), whereas in four patients thrombus was present in a native coronary artery (NCA).