Upstream Peripheral’s GoBack Catheter Found to be Effective in Crossing CTOs in Lower Limbs

January 4, 2022—Upstream Peripheral Technologies announced that its GoBack catheter was shown to be effective in crossing difficult peripheral vascular lesions when used to treat patients undergoing complex revascularizations in lower limb arteries. The data were published by Olaf Bakker et al in the Journal of Endovascular Therapy.

Professor Andrej Schmidt of University Hospital in Leipzig, Germany led the single-center retrospective that reviewed outcomes of 100 consecutive patients (including 101 limb revascularizations) treated with the GoBack catheter after failed crossing attempts using standard guidewire and support catheter techniques. Researchers reported that all lesions were chronic total occlusions (CTOs), either de novo, reocclusions, or in-stent reocclusions.

Results showed that median lesion length was 24 cm. Among CTOs treated, 91.1% were in the femoropopliteal segment, 5.9% in the iliac arteries, and 7.9% in the tibial arteries. According to researchers, the device was used via contralateral and ipsilateral antegrade as well as retrograde access, with an overall technical success rate of 92.1%. The 30-day adverse limb events included minor amputations in four (4%) patients, one (1%) major amputation, and reocclusions in seven (6.9%) limbs.

According to Upstream Peripheral, the GoBack catheter is a single-lumen crossing catheter that features a curved nitinol needle that serves as an effective crossing tool. The needle can be extended straight or to a curved position beyond the GoBack catheter’s tip. The protrusion length is determined by the clinician with a thumb selector on the device’s handle.

The GoBack comes in two configurations—4 and 2.9 F—for above- and below-the-knee procedures. The GoBack has received regulatory approval in 30 countries, including the United States.