SEPTEMBER 2024LIFE SCIENCES REVIEW9it became obvious to many that this therapy would work in different parts of the body. Soon after this we began to develop catheters and aspiration systems for larger vessels such as veins and pulmonary arteries. This early work led to what would become Penumbra's Indigo Aspiration System, which uses continuous aspiration thrombectomy to remove blood clots throughout the body. The Indigo System has continued to evolve since it was first introduced and now uses a unique computer-aided clot detection technology that can differentiate for the user between clot and flowing blood by indicating to the physician whether the catheter is engaged in thrombus with audiovisual cues. This advanced technology is called Lightning Aspiration. It is designed to reduce blood loss and the need for clot-dissolving drugs, which may lower the risk of bleeding complications. During a continuous aspiration thrombectomy procedure, we guide a catheter through the patient's arteries or veins using X-ray guidance to the vessel where the clot is located. The catheter is placed in the clot and the pump is then turned on to begin the process of clot extraction. Advances in design provide catheters that are more torqueable and trackable, enabling us to reach target vessels efficiently. These advancements have shortened the time to treat patients with conditions like PE, as well as venous thrombosis and acute limb ischemia in the arteries. These procedures which are done without surgery can potentially allow patients to leave the hospital more quickly vs. traditional treatments. Recent Data Demonstrates Safety And Performance of Mechanical Thrombectomy in The BodyInitial data of the STRIKE-PE study suggest that Penumbra's Indigo Aspiration System with Lightning is safe and effective for treating sub-massive and massive pulmonary emboli in a real-world population.The prospective, multi-center study showed that both right ventricle/left ventricle ratio and pulmonary artery pressure significantly decreased by 24 percent and nearly 20 percent, respectively. The interim data also showed improved patient reported quality-of-life outcomes, including improved mobility and ability to provide self-care and a decrease in pain/discomfort from discharge to 90-day follow-up.The data is encouraging as it highlights the positive impact these advancements can have on patients. To obtain additional data, we also plan on launching a randomized controlled trial for PE to assess how mechanical thrombectomy compares to anticoagulation, the standard of care. With the growing body of evidence that supports the effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy in the management of PE, we may potentially see a shift in PE care to include mechanical thrombectomy as a frontline treatment option in the future. When I first became a practicing interventional radiologist 30+ years ago, treatment for PE was limited to anticoagulation therapy
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