Catheter-directed thrombolysis of proximal lower extremity deep vein thrombosis: A prospective trial with venographic and clinical follow-up

PurposeTo prospectively evaluate the primary and long-term venographic and clinical results of catheter-directed thrombolysis in the treatment of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremity.Materials and methodsFifty-six patients with mean age of 48 (range 15–81) years with acute DVT (symptom duration of less than 2 weeks), extending to high femoral (16 patients) or iliac vein (40 patients) were treated with selective catheter-directed thrombolysis. The mean total dose of 3.8 (range 1.0–8.1) million units of urokinase was administered during a mean of 39 (range 6–72) hours. Endovascular stenting was performed in 9 of the iliac DVT patients.ResultsComplete procedural venographic success was achieved in 79% of patients. Major complications were noted in 7% of patients and the total rate of complications was 13%. Mean venographic follow-up was 3.5 years (range 3 months to 9.6 years); well preserved femoral vein valves and fully recanalized deep crural veins were observed in 83% and 57% of patients. Normal clinical findings in the affected limb were noted during the latest follow-up visit in 67% of patients. Clinical post-thrombotic syndrome occurred in 9% of patients.ConclusionCatheter-directed thrombolysis achieves good primary success with acceptable complication rate and effectively reduces prevalence of post-thrombotic syndrome.