Introduction
Aspiration catheters, or thrombectomy catheters, are medical devices used by doctors to remove blood clots from blood vessels. Although their primary use is in treating acute ischemic stroke, they are also used in treating other conditions like pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thrombosis. The success of aspiration catheterization largely depends on the type of catheter used and the experience of the practitioner handling it. In this article, we explore the importance of using the softest aspiration catheter for the practitioner's hand in maximizing guiding catheter support.
What is an aspiration catheter and how does it work?
Aspiration catheters are thin, flexible tubes that are inserted into a blood vessel, guided to the site of the blood clot, and used to remove it. They work by creating a vacuum that sucks up the clot. Aspiration catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure that carries fewer risks than traditional surgery.
Why is using the softest aspiration catheter important?
Aspiration catheters come in different sizes and degrees of stiffness. It's important to use the softest catheter possible because it reduces the risk of damaging the blood vessel. When softer catheters are used, they conform to the shape of the vessel, reducing the chances of perforation or dissection. This is especially important when performing aspiration catheterization on smaller vessels like those in the brain. Using a softer catheter can also improve the success rate of the procedure.
Maximizing guiding catheter support
Guiding catheters are another type of medical device used in aspiration catheterization. They are inserted into the blood vessel before the aspiration catheter and are used to guide the aspiration catheter to the site of the blood clot. Maximizing guiding catheter support is an essential part of successful aspiration catheterization.
Using the softest aspiration catheter on the practitioner's hand maximizes guiding catheter support because it allows the practitioner to exert more force on the guiding catheter without causing damage to the blood vessel. The guiding catheter can be guided further into the vessel, making it easier to reach the site of the clot. This can also reduce the number of passes needed to remove the clot, reducing the procedural time.
Conclusion
All in all, when performing aspiration catheterization, it's important to use the softest aspiration catheter on the practitioner's hand to maximize guiding catheter support. This can improve the success rate of the procedure and reduce the risk of damage to the blood vessel. Aspiration catheterization is a highly effective treatment option for blood clots, and by using the softest catheter possible, practitioners can further improve its outcomes.