Peripheral Vascular Angiojet Thrombectomy

Peripheral vasculature angiojet thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to remove blood clots that have formed inside a blood vessel.

Peripheral vasculature refers to blood vessels (arteries and veins) that are located outside the heart and brain. Normally, blood flows freely through the blood vessels. Blood clots can form inside the blood vessels. Blood clots can form and remain in place (called a thrombus) or they can form and travel elsewhere (called an embolus). This can become a problem especially if the blood clot blocks off blood flow through and artery, since it will prevent oxygen from reaching cells downstream.

To begin an angiojet thrombectomy procedure, a thin guide wire is inserted into a small incision in the arm or upper thigh. This process is usually visualized using x-rays and a special dye that helps reveal the arteries (called angiography). This guide wire is carefully guided through the blood vessels until it reaches the blood clot. Then a thin tube called a catheter is inserted over the guide wire. The catheter is activated, turning on small saline jets. These saline jest produce suction that remove the blood clot as it is passed through the clot. Blood flow is then restored through the blood vessel. The catheter and guide wire are removed following the procedure.