Radiology, Vol 188, 95-100, Copyright © 1993 by Radiological Society of North America
Self-expandable spindle for transcatheter vascular occlusion: in vivo experiments. Work in progress
T Schmitz-Rode, H Timmermans, B Uchida, K Kichikawa, N Nishida, RW Gunther and J Rosch
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Technology Aachen, Germany.
A mechanical vascular occluder was studied in eight pigs to test its
efficacy in arteries of different diameters, stability over time, and
safety in placement. The main component is a self-expandable spindle made
of tubular stainless steel mesh. Simple steel spindles, double spindles,
and Dacron-core spindles were placed in the common carotid artery, main
renal artery, renal artery branches, and infrarenal aorta. Follow-up
arteriograms were obtained immediately, 30-60 minutes, and (except for
aortic spindles) 7 days after deployment. The left common carotid artery
was occluded in all pigs, regardless of spindle type. In the main renal
artery and its branches, simple steel spindles did not achieve complete
occlusion. Double and Dacron-core spindles produced immediate occlusion
without recanalization on the 1-week follow-up arteriogram, except for one
spindle with an incomplete Dacron core and two spindles that did not
completely fill the arterial lumen. Two Dacron-core spindles achieved
immediate complete occlusion of the infrarenal aorta. No migration was seen
with any spindle.
