Interventional News’ most popular stories from March included those covering new embolization and radiofrequency ablation data presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) annual scientific meeting (4–9 March, Phoenix, USA); news of the launches of a new peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter and steerable microcatheter; and the receipt of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval for a new covered stent to be used to treat iliac artery occlusions.
1) ACC 2023: Large bore mechanical thrombectomy reduces adverse outcomes in high-risk PE patients
Large bore mechanical thrombectomy with the FlowTriever system (Inari Medical) in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) was associated with a significantly lower occurrence of meaningful in-hospital adverse clinical outcomes compared to other contemporary treatments.
The final results of the RAVI prospective registry study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of radial access in visceral interventions in standard embolization procedures for uterine fibroids, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and hypervascular tumours.
3) Non-surgical treatment significantly reduces knee pain in adults, especially those over 50
Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for knee pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee, and can significantly reduce pain, especially for adults who are 50 and older, according to new research.
4) PAE “highly effective” long-term treatment for enlarged prostate
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) provides long-term effectiveness in treating urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate gland, according to new research presented at the SIR annual scientific meeting.
5) Bariatric arterial embolization associated with “significant” muscle-sparing weight loss
Results of a recent bariatric arterial embolization study at show that the procedure was associated with “significant” weight loss that did not affect muscle mass, as detected by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging anthropometry.
6) Shockwave Medical announces US launch of new peripheral IVL catheter
Shockwave Medical announced the full US commercial availability of the Shockwave L6 peripheral IVL catheter following clearance by the US FDA.
7) VeinWay crossing tool sees first-in-human compassionate use for venous recanalisation
In a first-in-human, compassionate use case approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), radiologists David M Williams and Minhaj S Khaja successfully used VeinWay’s Traversa for venous recanalisation to save a patient’s leg that was close to being amputated.
8) Merit Medical expands SwiftNinja steerable microcatheter offering
Merit Medical has announced the expansion of its SwiftNinja steerable microcatheter product line. New sizes include a low-profile 2.4Fr distal diameter option in 125-cm and new longer 150-cm lengths.
9) Argon Medical launches Traveler portal vein access series
Argon Medical introduces the Traveler portal vein access series. The product line is designed to meet the needs of physicians accessing the portal vein through the liver during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures.
10) Getinge receives US FDA premarket approval for the iCast covered stent system
Getinge’s iCast covered stent system has received premarket approval from the US FDA for the treatment of patients with iliac arterial occlusive disease.
