Midterm follow-up after pharmacomechanical thrombolysis for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis

Abstract

Objective: To provide follow-up in patients treated with pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PhMT) for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, duplex ultrasound, venous clinical severity scoring, venous segmental disease scoring, and venous disability scoring.

Results: Fourteen patients were available for evaluation. Median age was 40 years (19-58). Median follow-up was 24 months (13-69 months). Thirteen of 14 patients (93%) had a venous disability score < 1 and 13 of 14 patients (93%) had a venous clinical severity scoring < 5. In all but 1 patient the venous segmental disease scoring score was < 5. All iliac segments were patent, all but 3 patients had partial infrainguinal obstruction and 5 of 14 (36%) had reflux.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the good early clinical results after PhMT can be sustained on longer follow-up and may prevent the development of advanced postthrombotic syndrome.