Name of the Procedure:

Transcatheter Therapy, Arterial Infusion for Thrombolysis (Non-Coronary, Non-Intracranial)

Summary

Transcatheter therapy for arterial infusion is a medical procedure used to dissolve blood clots in arteries other than those in the heart or brain. It involves delivering clot-dissolving medication directly to the site of the thrombus (blood clot) via a catheter.

Purpose

The procedure addresses arterial blood clots that can obstruct blood flow to various parts of the body, potentially leading to tissue damage or organ failure. The primary goal is to restore normal blood flow by breaking down the clot.

Indications

• Acute arterial thromboembolism
• Severe peripheral artery disease with clot formation
• Acute limb ischemia
• Patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention

Preparation

• Patients may need to fast for several hours before the procedure.
• Blood tests, imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan), and a thorough medical history.
• Adjustment or temporary cessation of certain medications, such as blood thinners.

Procedure Description

1. The patient lies on a procedure table, and the insertion site (typically the groin) is cleaned and numbed with local anesthesia.
2. A small incision is made, and a catheter is inserted into the artery and navigated to the clot’s location using imaging guidance (e.g., fluoroscopy).
3. A thrombolytic agent (clot-dissolving medication) is infused directly into the thrombus.
4. Continuous imaging is used to monitor the clot dissolution.
5. The catheter is then removed, and the incision site is closed.

Duration

The procedure typically takes 1-4 hours, depending on the size and location of the clot.

Setting

Hospital or specialized center with facilities for interventional radiology.

Personnel

• Interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon
• Nurses
• Radiologic technologists

Risks and Complications

• Bleeding or hematoma at the insertion site
• Infection
• Allergic reaction to medication or contrast dye
• Damage to the blood vessels
• Rare risk of stroke or heart attack

Benefits

• Rapid restoration of blood flow to the affected area.
• Minimally invasive with a shorter recovery time than traditional surgery.
• Potentially life-saving in acute situations.

Recovery

• Monitoring in a hospital setting for several hours to days.
• Instructions on wound care and activity restrictions.
• Follow-up imaging studies to ensure clot has dissolved.
• Possible blood-thinning medication to prevent recurrence.

Alternatives

• Surgical thrombectomy (removal of the clot via open surgery)
• Anticoagulation therapy alone (blood-thinning medications)
• Mechanical clot disruption using specialized devices

Patient Experience

• Patients may feel pressure but typically no severe pain during the procedure, thanks to local anesthesia.
• Some discomfort at the insertion site post-procedure.
• Pain management strategies, such as medications and ice packs, will be provided.