Combination of Rotational Atherothrombectomy and Paclitaxel-Coated Angioplasty for Femoropopliteal Occlusion

OBJECTIVE: The rotational atherothrombectomy with Straub Rotarex(®) is a safe and efficient treatment of acute/subactute vascular occlusions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of paclitaxel-coated angioplasty after rotational atherothrombectomy over an observation period of six months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 29 patients were treated with the Rotarex catheter in combination with paclitaxel-coated angioplasty. All patients had acute/subacute and chronic occlusions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and/or popliteal arteries. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was detected before the intervention, after the procedure, and after six months. Also clinical examination and ultrasound scans were done in the observation period. RESULTS: There were no technical failures. The ABI shows a significant increase from 0.52 ± 0.17 to 0.91 ± 0.25 in the follow-up. By ultrasound examination, there were found two (6.9%) restenoses during the follow-up. There was one dissection during the intervention (3.5%). CONCLUSION: The rotational atherothrombectomy in combination with paclitaxel-coated angioplasty might be an effective and safe method with a promising low rate of restenosis at six months.