The premise and performance of transcatheter vacuum‐assisted extraction of left side cardiac thrombotic masses

Abstract

Any discovery of a large-size thrombus or mass material in the form of tumor or endocarditis vegetation residing within cardiac chambers, valves, and related vasculature is clinically ominous. 1 The medical and surgical management of such obstructive, resistant to extraction yet potentially friable histopathologic tissues is fraught with difficulties and frequently accompanied by major complications that account for lifethreatening scenarios. Long-term experience denotes that pharmacotherapy with either intravenous or intracardiac thrombolytics yields limited efficacy and safety. Surgical removal of large thrombus burden or mass material 2 constitutes a major operation restricted as well to very select patients while carrying a high risk for complications.The publication of a 10-patient series describing initial experience with the percutaneous AngioVac (Angiodynamics) vacuum-