ABSTRACT
During the last decade, advances in minimally invasive technologies have spurred a
renaissance in the aggressive treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) using percutaneous
techniques. In this article, we outline the relative risks and benefits of endovascular
VTE therapies, highlight clinical situations in which the benefits of endovascular
treatment are likely to outweigh its risks, and provide an update regarding the specific
new modalities that may be applied to VTE. Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis represents
the most promising currently available method to treat VTE. However, pending demonstration
that it actually improves VTE outcomes in randomized trials with long-term follow-up,
a highly individualized approach to patient selection is recommended. At present,
highly compromised patients with pulmonary emboli (PE) in whom systemic thrombolytic
therapy has failed or is contraindicated are reasonable candidates for catheter-based
PE interventions. Adjunctive pharmacomechanical catheter-directed deep venous thrombosis
(DVT) thrombolysis is best indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with
phlegmasia cerulea dolens, acute inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusion, and acute iliofemoral
DVT after careful clinical assessment and a balanced discussion with the patient.
It is hoped that multidisciplinary clinical trials with involvement by both interventionalists
and pulmonary physicians will validate these techniques in the near future.
KEYWORDS
Deep vein thrombosis - thrombolysis - postthrombotic syndrome - pulmonary embolism
- venous thromboembolism - pharmacomechanical
REFERENCES
- 1
Hirsh J, Hoak J.
Management of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a statement for healthcare
professionals.
Circulation.
1996;
93
2212-2245
- 2
Bates S M, Ginsberg J S.
Clinical practice: treatment of deep-vein thrombosis.
N Engl J Med.
2004;
351
268-277
- 3
Brandjes D P, Buller H R, Heijboer H et al..
Randomised trial of effect of compression stockings in patients with symptomatic proximal-vein
thrombosis.
Lancet.
1997;
349
759-762
- 4
Prandoni P, Lensing A W, Prins M H et al..
Below-knee elastic compression stockings to prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome:
a randomized, controlled trial.
Ann Intern Med.
2004;
141
249-256
- 5
Kahn S R, Hirsch A, Shrier I.
Effect of postthrombotic syndrome on health-related quality of life after deep venous
thrombosis.
Arch Intern Med.
2002;
162
1144-1148
- 6
Kahn S R, Ducruet T, Lamping D L et al..
Prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients with deep venous
thrombosis.
Arch Intern Med.
2005;
165
1173-1178
- 7
Heit J A, Rooke T W, Silverstein M D et al..
Trends in the incidence of venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer: a 25-year population-based
study.
J Vasc Surg.
2001;
33
1022-1027
- 8
Phillips T, Stanton B, Provan A, Lew R.
A study of the impact of leg ulcers on quality of life: financial, social, and psychologic
implications.
J Am Acad Dermatol.
1994;
31
49-53
- 9
Bergqvist D, Jendteg S, Johansen L, Persson U, Odegaard K.
Cost of long-term complications of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities:
an analysis of a defined patient population in Sweden.
Ann Intern Med.
1997;
126
454-457
- 10
Prandoni P, Lensing A W, Cogo A et al..
The long-term clinical course of acute deep venous thrombosis.
Ann Intern Med.
1996;
125
1-7
- 11
Van Dongen C JJ, Prandoni P, Frulla M, Marchiori A, Prins M H, Hutten B A.
Relation between quality of anticoagulant treatment and the development of the postthrombotic
syndrome.
J Thromb Haemost.
2005;
3
939-942
- 12
Ginsberg J S, Hirsh J, Julian J et al..
Prevention and treatment of postphlebitic syndrome: results of a 3-part study.
Arch Intern Med.
2001;
161
2105-2109
- 13
Partsch H, Kaulich M, Mayer W.
Immediate mobilization in acute vein thrombosis reduced post-thrombotic syndrome.
Int Angiol.
2004;
23
206-212
- 14
Nicolaides A N, Hussein M K, Szendro G, Christopoulos D, Vasdekis S, Clarke H.
The relation of venous ulceration with ambulatory venous pressure measurements.
J Vasc Surg.
1993;
17
414-419
- 15
Markel A, Manzo R A, Bergelin R O, Strandness D E.
Valvular reflux after deep vein thrombosis: incidence and time of occurrence.
J Vasc Surg.
1992;
15
377-384
- 16
Caps M T, Manzo R A, Bergelin R O, Meissner M H, Strandness D E.
Venous valvular reflux in veins not involved at the time of acute deep vein thrombosis.
J Vasc Surg.
1995;
22
524-531
- 17
Meissner M H, Manzo R A, Bergelin R O, Markel A, Strandness D E.
Deep venous insufficiency: the relationship between lysis and subsequent reflux.
J Vasc Surg.
1993;
18
596-608
- 18
Prandoni P, Frulla M, Sartor D, Concolato A, Girolami A.
Venous abnormalities and the post-thrombotic syndrome.
J Thromb Haemost.
2005;
3
401-402
- 19
Prandoni P, Lensing A WA, Prins M H et al..
Residual venous thrombosis as a predictive factor of recurrent venous thromboembolism.
Ann Intern Med.
2002;
137
955-960
- 20
Hull R D, Marder V J, Mah A F, Biel R K, Brant R F.
Quantitative assessment of thrombus burden predicts the outcome of treatment for venous
thrombosis: a systematic review.
Am J Med.
2005;
118
456-464
- 21
O'Donnell Jr T F, Browse N L, Burnand K G, Thomas M L.
The socioeconomic effects on an iliofemoral venous thrombosis.
J Surg Res.
1977;
22
483-488
- 22
Delis K T, Bountouroglou D, Mansfield A O.
Venous claudication in iliofemoral thrombosis: long-term effects on venous hemodynamics,
clinical status, and quality of life.
Ann Surg.
2004;
239
118-126
- 23
Goldhaber S Z, Buring J E, Lipnick R J, Hennekens C H.
Pooled analyses of randomized trials of streptokinase and heparin in phlebographically
documented acute deep venous thrombosis.
Am J Med.
1984;
76
393-397
- 24
Comerota A J, Aldridge S C.
Thrombolytic therapy for deep venous thrombosis: a clinical review.
Can J Surg.
1993;
36
359-364
- 25
Arnesen H, Hoiseth A, Ly B.
Streptokinase or heparin in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
Acta Med Scand.
1982;
211
65-68
- 26
Elliot M S, Immelman E J, Jeffery P et al..
A comparative randomized trial of heparin versus streptokinase in the treatment of
acute proximal venous thrombosis in an interim report of a prospective trial.
Br J Surg.
1979;
66
838-843
- 27
Plate G, Eklof B, Norgren L, Ohlin P, Dahlstrom J A.
Venous thrombectomy for iliofemoral venous thrombosis: 10-year results of a prospective
randomized study.
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg.
1997;
14
367-374
- 28
Giannitsis E, Katus H A.
Risk stratification in pulmonary embolism based on biomarkers and echocardiography.
Circulation.
2005;
112
1520-1521
- 29
Wan S, Quinlan D J, Agnelli G, Eikelboom J W.
Thrombolysis compared with heparin for the initial treatment of pulmonary embolism:
a meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials.
Circulation.
2004;
110
744-749
- 30
Konstantinides S, Geibel A, Heusel G, Heinrich F, Kasper W.
Heparin plus alteplase compared with heparin alone in patients with submassive pulmonary
embolism.
N Engl J Med.
2002;
347
1143-1150
- 31
Goldhaber S Z, Visni L, De Rosa M.
Acute pulmonary embolism: clinical outcomes in the International Cooperative Pulmonary
Embolism Registry (ICOPER).
Lancet.
1999;
353
1386-1389
- 32
McNamara T O, Fischer J R.
Thrombolysis of peripheral arterial and graft occlusions: improved results using high-dose
urokinase.
AJR Am J Roentgenol.
1985;
144
769-775
- 33
Meyerovitz M F, Polak F J, Goldhaber S Z.
Short-term response to thrombolytic therapy in deep venous thrombosis: predictive
value of venographic appearance.
Radiology.
1992;
184
345-348
- 34
Semba C P, Dake M D.
Iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis: aggressive therapy with catheter-directed thrombolysis.
Radiology.
1994;
191
487-494
- 35
Mewissen W M, Seabrook G R, Meissner M H, Cynamon J, Labropoulos N, Haughton S H.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: report
of a national multicenter registry.
Radiology.
1999;
211
39-49
- 36
Parikh S R, Raabe R A, Motarjeme A, McNamara T O, Ho J W, Ferguson G S.
Ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (UAT) for deep venous thrombosis (DVT): EKOS multicenter
experience.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2006;
17(2 Pt 2)
S49
- 37
Bjarnason H, Kruse J R, Asinger D A et al..
Iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis: safety and efficacy outcome during 5 years of
catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
1997;
8
405-418
- 38
Sugimoto K, Hoffman L V, Razavi M K et al..
The safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics of low-dose alteplase compared with urokinase
for catheter-directed thrombolysis of arterial and venous occlusions.
J Vasc Surg.
2003;
37
512-517
- 39
Castaneda F, Li R, Young K, Swischuk J L, Smouse B, Brady T.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis in deep venous thrombosis with use of reteplase: immediate
results and complications from a pilot study.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2002;
13
577-580
- 40
Razavi M K, Wong H, Kee S T, Sze D Y, Semba C P, Dake M D.
Initial clinical results of tenecteplase (TNK) in catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy.
J Endovasc Ther.
2002;
9
593-598
- 41
Mickley V, Shwagierek R, Rilinger N, Gorich J, Sunder-Plassman L.
Left iliac venous thrombosis caused by venous spur: treatment with thrombectomy and
stent implantation.
J Vasc Surg.
1998;
28
492-497
- 42
Buller H R, Hull R D, Hyers T M, Prins M H, Raskob G E.
Antithrombotic therapy for venous thromboembolic disease. The Seventh ACCP Conference
on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy.
Chest.
2004;
126
401S-428S
- 43
Vedantham S, Thorpe P E, Cardella J F for the CIRSE and SIR Standards of Practice
Committees et al.
Quality improvement guidelines for the treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis
with use of endovascular thrombus removal.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2006;
17
435-448
- 44
Verstraete M, Miller G AH, Bounameaux H et al..
Intravenous and intrapulmonary recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in the
treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism.
Circulation.
1988;
77
353-360
- 45
Tapson V F, Gurbel P A, Witty L A, Pieper K S, Stack R S.
Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis of experimental pulmonary emboli: rapid low-dose intraembolic
therapy.
Chest.
1994;
106
1558-1562
- 46
Schmitz-Rode T, Kilbinger M, Gunther R W.
Simulated flow pattern in massive pulmonary embolism: significance for selective intrapulmonary
thrombolysis.
Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol.
1998;
21
199-204
- 47
Kasirajan K, Gray B, Ouriel K.
Percutaneous Angiojet thrombectomy in the management of extensive deep venous thrombosis.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2001;
12
179-185
- 48
Vedantham S, Vesely T M, Parti N, Darcy M, Hovsepian D M, Picus D.
Lower extremity venous thrombolysis with adjunctive mechanical thrombectomy.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2002;
13
1001-1008
- 49
Uflacker R.
Mechanical thrombectomy in acute and subacute thrombosis with use of the Amplatz device:
arterial and venous applications.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
1997;
8
923-932
- 50
Delomez M, Beregi J P, Willoteaux S, Bauchart J J, Janee d'Othee B, Asseman P et al..
Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with deep venous thrombosis.
Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol.
2001;
24
42-48
- 51
Vedantham S, Vesely T M, Sicard G A et al..
Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis and early stent placement for iliofemoral deep vein
thrombosis.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2004;
15
565-574
- 52
Bush R L, Lin P H, Bates J T, Mureebe L, Zhou W, Lumsden A B.
Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy for treatment of symptomatic lower extremity deep
venous thrombosis: safety and feasibility study.
J Vasc Surg.
2004;
40
965-970
- 53
Lin P H, Zhou W, Dardik A et al..
Catheter-direct thrombolysis versus pharmacomechanical thrombectomy for treatment
of symptomatic lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.
Am J Surg.
2006;
192
782-788
- 54
Kim H S, Patra A, Paxton B E, Khan J, Streiff M B.
Adjunctive percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy for lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis:
clinical and economic outcomes.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2006;
17
1099-1104
- 55
Cynamon J, Stein E G, Dym J, Jagust M, Binkert C A, Baum R A.
A new method for aggressive management of deep vein thrombosis: retrospective study
of the power pulse technique.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2006;
17
1043-1049
- 56
Garcia M, Dignazio M, Kimbris G, Beeravolu A, Peters A, Veasey J.
ATTACK-DVT: Angiojet and TPA thrombolysis: a closer look at combined therapy for the
treatment of DVT.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2007;
18(1 Pt 2)
S21
- 57
O'Sullivan G J, Lohan D G, Gough N, Cronin C G, Kee S T.
Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy of acute deep vein thrombosis with the Trellis-8 isolated
thrombolysis catheter.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2007;
18
715-724
- 58
Fava M, Loyola S, Flores P, Huete I.
Mechanical fragmentation and pharmacologic thrombolysis in massive pulmonary embolism.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
1997;
8
261-266
- 59
De Gregorio M A, Gimeno M J, Mainar A et al..
Mechanical and enzymatic thrombolysis for massive pulmonary embolism.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2002;
13
163-169
- 60
Schmitz-Rode T, Janssens U, Duda S H, Erley C M, Gunther R W.
Massive pulmonary embolism: percutaneous emergency treatment by pigtail rotation catheter.
J Am Coll Cardiol.
2000;
36
375-380
- 61
Tajima H, Murata S, Kumazaki T et al..
Hybrid treatment of acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism: mechanical fragmentation
with a modified rotating pigtail catheter, local fibrinolytic therapy, and clot aspiration
followed by systemic fibrinolytic therapy.
AJR Am J Roentgenol.
2004;
183
589-595
- 62
Siablis D, Karnabatidis D, Katsanos K, Kagadis G C, Zabakis P, Hahalis G.
AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy versus local intrapulmonary thrombolysis in massive
pulmonary embolism: a retrospective data analysis.
J Endovasc Ther.
2005;
12
206-214
- 63
Haskal Z J, Soulen M C, Huettl E A, Palevski H I, Cope C.
Life-threatening pulmonary emboli and cor pulmonale: treatment with percutaneous pulmonary
artery stent placement.
Radiology.
1994;
191
473-475
- 64
Comerota A J, Throm R C, Mathias S D, Haughton S, Mewissen M.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis for iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis improves health-related
quality of life.
J Vasc Surg.
2000;
32
130-137
- 65
AbuRahma A F, Perkins S E, Wulu J T, Ng H K.
Iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: conventional therapy versus lysis and percutaneous
transluminal angioplasty and stenting.
Ann Surg.
2001;
233
752-760
- 66
Elsharawy M, Elzayat E.
Early results of thrombolysis vs anticoagulation in iliofemoral venous thrombosis:
a randomised clinical trial.
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg.
2002;
24
209-214
- 67
Vedantham S, Rundback J H, Comerota A J et al..
Development of a research agenda for endovascular treatment of venous thromboembolism:
proceedings from a multidisciplinary consensus panel.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2005;
16
1567-1573
- 68
Vedantham S, Millward S F, Cardella J F et al..
Society of Interventional Radiology Position Statement: treatment of acute iliofemoral
deep vein thrombosis with use of adjunctive catheter-directed intrathrombus thrombolysis.
J Vasc Interv Radiol.
2006;
17
613-616
Suresh VedanthamM.D.
Interventional Radiology Section, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology
510 S. Kingshighway, Box 8131, St. Louis, MO 63110
Email: vedanthams@mir.wustl.edu