Venaccess® Thrombus Aspiration Catheter Achieves First-in-Class Application in Pulmonary Embolism: A Milestone by Prof. Liu Xunqiang’s Team at Yan’an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University

Suzhou Venmed Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise dedicated to intravenous treatment, adhering to the aim of providing one-stop solutions for venous diseases.【V-FAMILY】Full Solution Product Suite, including Venastent iliac vein stent, Vencatcher endovascular foreign body retrieval device, Venavoy venous balloon, Venhammer high-pressure balloon, Venfree great saphenous vein stripping catheter, V-Axe thrombectomy catheter, Venaccess thrombus aspiration catheter, Venligne infusion catheter and other products.

Patient:Male, 71 years old

Chief Complaint:Chest tightness, hemoptysis, and dyspnea for more than 2 years, worsened in the past week.

History of Present Illness:Two years ago, the patient experienced chest tightness and shortness of breath without obvious cause, accompanied by cough, sputum, and hemoptysis, but without palpitations. Occasionally, the patient felt dizzy or lightheaded, with shortness of breath and wheezing, and occasionally chest pain, but without nausea, vomiting, or other discomforts. One week ago, the aforementioned symptoms worsened, prompting the patient to visit a local hospital. After symptomatic treatment, there was no significant improvement in these symptoms. A pulmonary artery CTA showed: pulmonary embolism and superior vena cava stenosis. The local hospital informed the patient about the condition and related risks, recommending referral to a higher-level hospital for further treatment.

Past Medical History:Generally in good health, denies history of diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, mental illness, and hypertension. Denies history of hepatitis, tuberculosis, or other infectious diseases. Has a surgical history: underwent surgery for lung cancer at Yunda Hospital in 2018, followed by regular chemotherapy post-surgery. No history of trauma, denies blood transfusions, and denies any history of drug or food allergies.

Auxiliary Examination:CTA of the pulmonary artery at the local hospital showed: Pulmonary embolism, Superior vena cava stenosis.

Clinical Diagnosis:

1. Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism

2. Obstruction of the Superior Vena Cava (Stenosis of the Superior Vena Cava)

3. Personal History of Malignant Tumor

Routine disinfection and draping were performed in the bilateral inguinal regions. After local infiltration anesthesia, the right femoral vein was accessed using the Seldinger technique for successful puncture. Following pre-dilation with an 8F arterial sheath, a suture device was pre-placed, then a 14F arterial sheath was inserted. Angiography through the sheath showed that blood flow in the left iliac vein and inferior vena cava was unobstructed without significant filling defects.

Through the sheath, a mackerel-guidewire was used to guide the right heart catheter to the superior vena cava for angiography. A large amount of filling defect was observed in the superior vena cava with slow blood flow. Through the guidewire, a right heart pigtail catheter was guided to the main pulmonary artery. Angiography was performed via a pressure extension tube connected to a high-pressure injector, revealing: a large amount of filling defect in the right main pulmonary artery and a small amount of filling defect in some branches of the left pulmonary artery.

Exchange the extra-hard guidewire through the catheter, and insert Venmedtech 12F Venaccess along the guidewire.^®Thrombectomy catheter, guidewire catheter selected to the bifurcation of the right pulmonary artery trunk. After withdrawing the catheter, maintain negative pressure and retract the long sheath to the pulmonary artery trunk. During the process, about 30ml of blood was aspirated, with a small amount of thrombus observed inside. After repeated aspiration of pulmonary artery thrombus, the guidewire and pigtail catheter were advanced through the sheath into the pulmonary artery trunk. High-pressure angiography was performed again via the pressure extension tube, showing a reduction in filling defect compared to before. Postoperative pulmonary artery pressure measured via the pressure extension tube: 27mmHg.

Right heart catheter-guided extended stiff guidewire to the superior vena cava, reinsertion of 12F Venaccess.^®After repeated thrombus aspiration with a thrombus aspiration catheter at the thrombosed segment of the superior vena cava, angiography showed a slight reduction in thrombus compared to before, and the superior vena cava still had moderate to severe stenosis. A 12*40 balloon was placed, and after repeated balloon dilation at the stenotic segment of the superior vena cava using a pressure pump, angiography showed relief of the superior vena cava stenosis compared to before.

Sequentially withdraw the catheter, guidewire, and sheath, leaving the suture device to suture the incision, and apply pressure dressing to the incision.

The patient's vital signs were stable after the surgery, with no discomfort, and returned to the ward safely.

Successful extraction of strip-shaped old thrombus during the operation.

• The tip of the aspiration catheter isAdjustable BendDesign, can be adjusted from multiple angles to achieveComprehensive and Precise Aspiration of ThrombusThe catheter body has high compliance, allowing it to pass through complex lesions more effectively.

• Storage CavityThe innovative design can filter out most of the suctioned thrombus, effectivelyReduce the Risk of Suction Pathway Blockage, while reducing the number of times the catheter needs to be withdrawn during surgery to check for blockages, saving operation time.

• Manual Negative Pressure HandleErgonomically designed, compact and portable,Convenient for the operator to use one hand, which can eliminate the steps of repeatedly installing and detaching traditional syringes for suctioning, whileNo need to connect to active devicesCan be generated immediately-95KPa continuous negative pressure，Shorten the suction path to improve suction efficiency.

• During the aspiration process, adjustments can be made based on the thrombus condition.Real-timeVia the handleControl Negative Pressure，Reduce intraoperative blood loss.

Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University