Factors associated with the development of post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis.

METHODS

Fifty-two consecutive patients who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis were included in this retrospective study. In addition to catheter-directed thrombolysis, aspiration thrombectomy or stent placement was performed if needed. At six months, duplex ultrasound was performed to assess iliofemoral patency and deep venous reflux. Post-thrombotic syndrome was assessed using the clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiologic classification (post-thrombotic syndrome present ≥3 on a scale from 0 to 6). Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of post-thrombotic syndrome.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 52 months and post-thrombotic syndrome developed in nine patients (17.3%). In univariate analysis, stent placement (odds ratio 0.16, p = 0.022) was negatively associated with post-thrombotic syndrome, whereas iliofemoral venous obstruction with reflux at six months (OR 6.08, p = 0.037) was positively associated with post-thrombotic syndrome. Multivariate analysis indicated that stent placement was associated with reduced risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (OR 0.17, p = 0.043), and iliofemoral obstruction with reflux was associated with increased risk (OR 6.67, p = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Stent placement and iliofemoral venous obstruction with reflux, respectively, were important protective and risk factors for post-thrombotic syndrome in patients who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis.