ObjectiveThis study was aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy using the AngioJet System for the treatment of lower extremity acute arterial embolism and thrombosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 20 patients with acute lower extremity arterial embolism and thrombosis admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery in the People’s Hospital in Gansu Province where the author worked from September 2016 to March 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with the AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy system. Clinical data of the patients were retrospectively collected. The clinical efficacy of AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy wasanalyzed.ResultsEighteen (90.0%) of the 20 patients successfully completed the mechanical thrombectomy by using the AngioJet System. The mean time for hospital stay and operation was (4.2±1.4) d and (1.3±0.4) h, respectively. The average doses of urokinase and heparin during operation were (35.80±12.30) ×104 U and (45.10±8.30) mg, respectively. Two patients received a complementary treatment of incision for removing the thrombus. Two patients received catheter-directed thrombolysis after the mechanical thrombectomy, 5 patients received bare-metal stent implantation after balloon expansion. Clinical success was in 16 cases. According to the Cooley standard, 10 patients were in excellent condition,6 in good condition, 2 in fair condition, and 2 in poor condition. There were 2 cases of distal arterial embolization,2 cases of antecardial discomfort of bradycardia, and 4 cases of bleeding at the puncture point, but no serious bleeding complications such as gastrointestinal and intracranial hemorrhage occurred. A total of 16 patients presented myoglobinuria during and after operation. All patients were followed up for 6–12 months. The results of ultrasound examination showed that the artery was patency in 15 cases. One patient died of myocardial infarction in 9 months after surgery,2 patients developed lower extremity ischemia symptoms again after surgery, and 2 patients had lower extremity ulcer caused by lower extremity ischemia symptoms. During the follow-up period, no lower limb necrosis, amputation, and death occurred in the remaining patients.ConclusionsThe AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy system is safe and effective. Combined with the use of catheter-directed thrombolysis and stent implantation, the AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy could lead to quick recovery of the perfusion of the lower extremity and improve the limb salvage rates, exhibiting excellent clinical value.