Penumbra, Inc. announced the first patient enrolled in STORM-PE, a prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled trial evaluating anticoagulation alone vs anticoagulation plus Lightning Flash for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE). In partnership with PERT Consortium?, a multi-disciplinary group dedicated to improving the care of patients with PE, the STORM-PE trial aims to advance the understanding of the role of computer assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT) in the management of acute PE, with a goal of improving the outcomes for patients with this life-threatening condition. STORM-PE will enroll up to 100 participants at up to 20 sites.

Penumbra's Lightning Flash can be used to remove emboli and thrombi from vessels of the peripheral arterial and venous systems and can be used for the treatment of PE. Lightning Flash combines hypotube-based Indigo Aspiration Catheters with LightningTM Intelligent Aspiration, a unique computer assisted clot detection technology that can differentiate between clot and blood, designed to reduce blood loss and the need for clot-dissolving drugs, which may lower the risk of bleeding complications.