Inari Medical, now part of Stryker Corporation, has launched its Artix Thrombectomy System, a combined aspiration plus mechanical thrombectomy solution that delivers procedural control and versatility.

An arterial blood clot in the leg is a life- and limb-threatening emergency requiring immediate treatment. However, existing therapies for arterial thromboembolism can lead to ineffective clot retrieval, which can induce additional procedures (open surgery or amputation);^1,2 significant blood loss;¹ adverse events such as arterial embolization and vessel trauma;^2,3 and high rates of lytic use, which may trigger complications.^1,2

The Artix System builds on the success of Inari’s venous thrombectomy devices and is its inaugural entry into the arterial space. Inari offers a comprehensive toolkit approach to arterial thrombectomy with an innovative, over-the-wire system that provides physicians with the flexibility to aspirate and/or mechanically extract a clot. 

Jonathan Bowman, M.D. chief of Vascular at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Conn., performed the first commercial case with Artix last fall. “The Artix Thrombectomy System marks a significant advancement in peripheral arterial thromboembolism treatment,” he said. “With Artix, I finally have a solution that effectively addresses a wide range of clots while enabling me to maintain vessel access and retain control throughout the entire case. I expect Artix will take the place of open surgical repair in many of my arterial cases.”

Key distinctive features of the Artix system include:

• Dual mechanical thrombectomy and aspiration toolkit designed to remove acute to chronic clots in a single session via a streamlined procedure⁴
• Aspiration-capable, 8 Fr. low profile, trackable, kink-resistant sheath in both 65cm and 90cm lengths expands treatment options by enabling more complex and distal interventions
• Innovative over-the-wire mechanical element designed to effectively collect and retrieve acute-to-chronic clot⁴
• Covered nitinol mesh funnel provides temporary flow restriction during the procedure to minimize the risk of arterial clot migration⁵

“There is a real clinical need to address chronic thrombi and decrease the risk of clot migration. Artix will raise the bar of effective arterial thrombectomy,” Inari Medical Chief Medical Officer Tom Tu, M.D., stated. “We are excited to bring Inari’s core competency in thrombectomy to the arterial space with the goal of improving outcomes.”

Stryker is a global leader in medical technologies, offering products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology and Orthopaedics that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. The company acquired Inari Medical in February.

References
¹ De Donato et al. The INDIAN Trial. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2021; 61: 820-828.
² Heller et al. Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Rotarex Device in Acute Limb Ischemia in Infrainguinal Occlusions. BioMed Research International. 2017.
³ Olinic et al. Acute Limb Ischemia: An Update on Diagnosis and Management. J Clin Med. 2019.
⁴ Designed to remove acute to chronic arterial clots. According to benchtop testing compared to control. Internal data on file. Narula et al. JACC 2018;72:2153-63
⁵ According to benchtop testing compared to control. Internal data on file. NOTE: To attempt to minimize risk of arterial embolization of blood clots, use of a device that entraps clots may potentially be helpful, but this has not yet been demonstrated to be effective in the arterial system.

* Dr. Jonathan Bowman is a paid consultant of Inari Medical.