Acute phase determinant of post-thrombotic syndrome: A review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is the main long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Several therapies are being evaluated to prevent or to treat PTS. Identifying the patients most likely to benefit from these therapies presents a significant challenge.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to identify risk factors for PTS during the acute phase of DVT.

Eligibility criteria: We searched the PubMed and Cochrane databases for studies published between January 2000 and January 2021, including randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and observational studies.

Results: Risk factors for PTS such as proximal location of DVT, obesity, chronic venous disease, history of DVT are associated with higher risk of PTS. On the initial ultrasound-Doppler, a high thrombotic burden appears to be a predictor of PTS. Among the evaluated biomarkers, some inflammatory markers such as ICAM-1, MMP-1 and MMP-8 appear to be associated with a higher risk of developing PTS. Coagulation disorders are not associated with risk of developing PTS. Role of endothelial biomarkers in predicting PTS has been poorly explored. Lastly, vitamin K antagonist was associated with a higher risk of developing PTS when compared to direct oral anticoagulants and low molecular weight heparin.

Conclusions: Several risk factors during the acute phase of VTE are associated with an increased risk of developing PTS. There is a high-unmet medical need to identify potential biomarkers for early detection of patients at risk of developing PTS after VTE. Inflammatory and endothelial biomarkers should be explored in larger prospective studies to identify populations that could benefit from new therapies.

Keywords: Chronic venous disease; Post-phlebitic syndrome; Post-thrombotic syndrome; Venous thrombeombolism; Venous ulcer.