Percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy offers lower risk of post-thrombotic syndrome than catheter-directed thrombolysis in patients with acute deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb.

BACKGROUND

Despite optimal anticoagulant therapy, patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) will often develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Early thromboreduction can potentially decrease the risk of PTS by restoring venous patency and preserving valvular function. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and treatment outcomes of patients with acute proximal DVT of the lower limb who underwent either catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) or percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT).

METHODS

Thirty-nine patients with acute proximal DVT of the lower limb who were diagnosed by Wells' Score, PMT or CDT was chosen depending on the patient. They underwent early thromboreduction, and 3 died postoperatively in less than 12 months, while 2 were removed for not following-up. Thirty-four patients, 16 in PMT and 18 in CDT, were followed up for more than 1 year. Venous Registry Index (VRI) was used to evaluate the postprocedural patency, while PTS was assessed using the Villalta scale.

RESULTS

The technical success was 100% in both the groups, without any 30-day mortality. VRI changed from 13.1 ± 4.3 preoperatively to 2.4 ± 1.5 postoperatively in the PMT group, and from 11.8 ± 2.4 to 3.6 ± 2.2 in the CDT group. Thrombolysis rate was 81.5 ± 8.5% and 67.7 ± 21.0% in the PMT and CDT groups, respectively (P = 0.059). There were no differences in complications, thrombus score, and VRI between the 2 groups. Primary patency rate at 1 year was 93.8% in the PMT group and 88.9% in the CDT group (P = 0.648). The Villalta scale was 2.1 ± 3.0 in the PMT group and 5.1 ± 4.1 in the CDT group (P = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

Both PMT and CDT are effective treatment modalities in patients with acute proximal DVT. Compared with CDT, PMT provides similar treatment success, but with lower risk of PTS at 1-year follow-up.