Abstract
Objective: It is sometimes difficult to retrieve AngioGuard XP (AG) during carotid artery stenting (CAS). We produced a new rescue catheter to retrieve AG in such cases. The objective of this study is to assess the performance of this new catheter.
Materials and Methods: The rescue catheter consists of a coaxial system composed of a 6 Fr outer catheter and a 4 Fr inner catheter with a tapering tip which accepts a 0.014-inch guidewire. We evaluated the radiographic visualization of this catheter under fluoroscopy, and its usability and crossing ability in a tortuous situation, such as inward prolapse of the stent strut, using a flow model. In addition, we evaluated whether this catheter could capture AG without spilling debris and observed the events that occurred when AG was drawn into this catheter.
Results: The catheter was well-defined under fluoroscopy and was easy to handle in the flow model. When debris was scattered on the filter, AG was captured successfully with the rescue catheter, regardless of debris type. However, when the filter was covered with a large amount of debris, AG was wedged in the catheter tip (hard debris model) and squeezed the clot (soft debris model).
Conclusion: Our rescue catheter can be used in situations where retrieval of AG is difficult and can decrease complications of the CAS procedure. However, further studies are required to determine whether this device can be used safely and effectively.
