Key result
Guidewire-free steerable microcatheter cuts uterine artery embolization procedure time ~60% in novel case.
Why the study?
The increasing number of vascular interventional procedures drives the need for advanced technology and innovative devices that may challenge traditional principles.
Does a steerable microcatheter without a guidewire reduce procedure time in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization?
Case Report (n=1)
Does a steerable microcatheter without a guidewire reduce procedure time in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization?
Effect estimate: 60% reduction
Absolute Event Rate: 22% vs 55%
A novel wireless technique using a steerable microcatheter for uterine artery embolization reduced procedure time by more than half compared to standard of care, suggesting potential applications in other interventional procedures.
The number of minimally invasive interventional radiology (IR) and interventional cardiology vascular procedures performed increases every year. As the number of vascular procedures increases, the need for advanced technology and innovative devices increases as well. Traditionally, as a general rule, a catheter is used in conjunction with a guidewire in such procedures. The underlying principle of IR is to always use a guidewire prior to any advancement of a catheter. This article describes a revolutionary theory that utilizes a new technology and contradicts this basic principle. Using a steerable microcatheter, a bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed from a wrist access with no guidewire. Furthermore, this technique reduced the procedure time by more than half when compared to standard of care. This technique may be applicable to other IR procedures, which could potentially reduce the time critically ill patients spend in the procedure area outside the intensive care unit.
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Martin et al. (2018) conducted a case report in Uterine fibroids (n=1). SwiftNINJA steerable microcatheter without a guidewire vs. Standard transradial uterine artery embolization (historical) was evaluated on Procedure time (60% reduction). Using a steerable microcatheter without a guidewire for bilateral uterine artery embolization reduced procedure time by 60% to 22 minutes compared to the standard 55 minutes.
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