There were 106 patients at 18 different US locations with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy utilizing the FlowTriever Retrieval/Aspiration System in the FLARE (FlowTriever Pulmonary Embolectomy Clinical Study). A mean reduction in the right-to-left ventricular ratio of 0.38 after 48 hours was determined by scientists to be the key efficacy objective for the FlowTriever device. The anatomic degree of thrombus was also reduced in treated individuals, and the mean pulmonary artery pressure was reduced by 3.2 mm Hg in those with pulmonary hypertension. There were no reports of cerebral bleeding, cardiac or pulmonary damage caused by the device, or fatalities caused by the device. This research adds a new therapeutic option for moderate to high-risk PE. The decrease in right ventricular/left ventricular ratio observed with FlowTriever embolectomy is comparable to that observed in other studies examining catheter-directed thrombolysis and superior to that shown with anticoagulation alone. This device differs from many of its predecessors in that it does not need thrombolytics, making it a safer alternative for individuals who are contraindicated to systemic thrombolysis.
FlowTriever has demonstrated encouraging results in decreasing early right ventricular strain in patients with intermediate-risk PE, but its position in the PE treatment protocol will most likely be for higher-risk PE, particularly when there are relative or absolute contraindications to thrombolysis. Long-term advantages for people with intermediate-risk PE will need to be studied further.
Reference:https://journals.lww.com/clinpulm/Abstract/2020/05000/Introducing_the_Flow_Triever_Mechanical.7.aspx
