Thrombus resolution and vein wall injury: dependence on chemokines and leukocytes

Chronic venous insufficiency resulting in post-thrombotic syndrome occurs commonly after acute deep vein thrombosis, and is a prevalent cause of vascular disease morbidity in the community. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms that promote the development of chronic venous insufficiency could lead to novel approaches to interrupt the natural history and prevent post-thrombotic syndrome. In this paper, we will review the evidence that venous thrombus resolution is an inflammatory process that is dependent on chemokines and leukocytes.