Penumbra indigo percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy system in the treatment of aortic endograft iliac limb occlusion: results from an Italian Multicentre Registry

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Penumbra Indigo percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) system in the clinical presentation of iliac limb occlusion (ILO) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).Methods: A retrospective, observational, multicentre study conducted in eight Italian vascular centres. Consecutive patients presenting with ILO after EVAR were eligible. To assess vessel revascularisation, Thrombo-aspiration In Peripheral Ischaemia (TIPI) classification (score 0-3) was used at presentation (t1), after PAT (t2), and after adjunctive procedures (t3). Successful revascularisation was considered TIPI 2-3 (near complete or complete). Primary intra-operative outcomes were technical success (TS) of Indigo PAT and combined TS of PAT associated with adjunctive procedures when needed. Primary follow up outcomes were safety and effectiveness at one, six, and 12 months.Results: From September 2019 to December 2021, there were 48 ILO and 17 patients (35%) [median age 75 years, IQR 71, 83 years; male, 14 (82%); urgent, 8 (47%)] were treated and enrolled. The median time after primary EVAR was 24 months (IQR 0, 42 months). The median clot age from ILO diagnosis to PAT was three days (IQR 1, 12 days). Ten patients (59%) presented with limb threatening ischaemia. At t1, TIPI 0 and 1 was present in 13 (76%) and four (24%) cases, respectively. At t2, primary TS (TIPI 2-3) was achieved in 14 cases (82%) after Indigo PAT (p < .001). Fifteen patients (88%) required adjunctive procedures (14 re-linings, one surgical patch angioplasty). At t3, combined TS was achieved in 16 cases (94%). Intra-operative complication included one (6%) distal embolisation, treated successfully. The 30 day mortality was one case (6%) due to pneumonia. At one, six, and 12 months, clinical success was 100% without ILO recurrence. The median follow up was 23 months (IQR 11, 41 months): at 18 months, survival and freedom from re-intervention were 91 + 8% and 90 + 9%, respectively.Conclusion: This study reports for the first time the efficacy and safety of Penumbra Indigo PAT for ILO after EVAR, with promising technical and clinical success up to one year.