Clinical, Functional, and Quality of Life Outcomes after Computer Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy for Pulmonary Embolism: Interim Analysis of the STRIKE-PE Study

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2024 May 8:S1051-0443(24)00335-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2024.04.028. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Purpose: To report 90-day results from the first interim analysis of the STRIKE-PE study, which is evaluating safety, effectiveness, and functional and quality of life (QoL) outcomes of Computer Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy (CAVT) with the Indigo Aspiration System for the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: STRIKE-PE is a prospective, international, multicenter study that will enroll 600 adult patients with acute PE of ≤14 days and a right ventricle/left ventricle (RV/LV) ratio of ≥0.9 who receive first-line endovascular treatment with CAVT. Primary endpoints are change in RV/LV ratio and incidence of composite major adverse events (MAEs) within 48 hours. Secondary endpoints include functional and QoL assessments.

Results: The first 150 consecutive patients were treated with Lightning 12 CAVT. Mean age was 61.3 years, 54.7% were men, 94.7% presented with intermediate-risk PE, and 5.3% presented with high-risk PE. Median thrombectomy and procedure times were 33.5 minutes and 70 minutes, respectively, resulting in a mean reduction in systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 16.3% (P < .001). Mean RV/LV ratio decreased from 1.39 before thrombectomy to 1.01 at 48 hours, a 25.7% reduction (P < .001). Four patients (2.7%) experienced a composite MAE within 48 hours. At 90-day follow-up, patients exhibited statistically significant improvements in the Borg dyspnea scale and QoL measures, and the NYHA class distribution returned to that reported before the index PE.

Conclusion: These interim results demonstrate a rapid reduction in RV/LV ratio, achieved with a fast thrombectomy time while maintaining safety. This is accompanied by improvements in 90-day functional and QoL outcomes.

Keywords: Aspiration thrombectomy; RV/LV ratio; functional status; patient reported outcome measures; pulmonary embolism; quality of life; treatment outcome.