Single-session endovascular treatment of symptomatic lower extremity deep vein thrombosis: Is it possible even for aged thrombosis

Background: Feasibility of single-session mechanical thrombetomy, without thrombolytics, for the treatment of the subacute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity remains poorly described. Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of single-session endovascular treatment of DVT of the lower extremity that is more than 10 days old. Materials and Methods: From January 2010 to December 2013, single-session endovascular treatment was performed in 21 limbs of 21 patients (8 men and 13 women) with DVT more than 10 days old at our hospital. The mean age of the thrombosis was 21.5 days (range 11-45 days). Two patients had malignancy-related obstructions. A 14F introducer sheath was inserted through the popliteal vein followed by aspiration thrombectomy with a large bore catheter. Balloon angioplasty and/or maceration of the thrombus were added when needed. Stent insertions were performed for patients with combined iliac vein stenosis. Technical success, clinical success, mean procedure time, and complications were evaluated. Results: The technical success rate was 90.5% (19 of 21 patients). Among the 19 successful cases, aspiration thrombectomy alone was performed in 16 (84.2%) patients, additional balloon angioplasty of the femoral vein was performed in 2 (10.5%) patients, and both balloon angioplasty of the femoral vein and rotational thrombectomy were performed in 1 (5.3%) patient. Iliac vein stenting was performed due to combined iliac vein narrowing in 13 (68.4%) of the 19 successful cases. The mean procedure time was 86 minutes (26-179 minutes). All of the patients with technical success (19 of 21 patients) showed marked improvement in symptoms at the time of discharge (clinical success). Unexplained gastrointestinal hemorrhage developed in 1 patient. Conclusion: Single-session endovascular treatment is feasible and effective even for patients with aged deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity more than 10 days old.