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Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis System Reduces Artery Pressure in Intermediate-Risk PE
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Results of a real-world population study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of an ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis system for the treatment of intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism.
“These data represent the largest real-world registry of ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis for intermediate-risk [pulmonary embolism] to date,” James M. McCabe, MD, from the University of Washington, Seattle, and fellow researchers wrote in the American Journal of Cardiology.
For the retrospective, single-arm study, McCabe and colleagues analyzed safety and efficacy data of the EkoSonic ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis system (EKOS Corp.) in a real-world registry of patients (n = 53). Patients had intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) and were treated at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, from 2010 to 2014.
Change in directly measured pulmonary artery pressures served as the primary outcome measure.
Patients received alteplase (mean, 24 ± 6.9 mg) and had a mean catheter treatment time of 15.9 ± 3 hours.
Researchers reported a decrease of 7.2 mm Hg in mean pulmonary artery pressure and a decrease of 11.4 mm Hg in systolic pulmonary artery pressure (P for both < .001).
The rate of in-hospital bleeding was 9.4%. One patient experienced access-site bleeding that required premature discontinuation, but no other intervention.
“Our results add to a growing body of published reports suggesting ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis is generally safe and provides rapid reduction in [right ventricular] afterload even in a real-world population of patients,” McCabe and colleagues wrote. – by Brian Ellis
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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