Treatment of acute inferior vena cava and iliac vein thrombosis with pharmacomechanical thrombectomy using simultaneously operating "kissing" Trellis-8 thrombolysis catheters.

PURPOSE

To present a new endovascular technique for treating acute large thrombus burden in the iliocaval venous system.

TECHNIQUE

This method is demonstrated in a 62-year-old man with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis who had a nonfunctioning right femoral dialysis catheter that was placed 3 month earlier. After catheter removal, venography demonstrated significant thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and both iliac veins. The patient was treated successfully using two simultaneously operating Trellis-8 thrombolysis catheters placed side-by-side in the IVC and both iliac veins in a "kissing" configuration.

CONCLUSION

This technique was able to effectively debulk acute large thrombus burden in the iliocaval system in a single session and preserve the patient's available hemodialysis access. The technique has the potential to minimize morbidity, duration of hospital stay, and overall cost of treatment.