Large-bore rotational thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty for thrombus fragmentation and removal from occluded iliofemoral or inferior vena cava stents

Abstract

Background: Although venous stent placement is an established treatment for patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), stent patency rate may be as low as 80% at 12 months. Treatment of stent occlusion requires the removal of a large amount of fresh or organized thrombus from stents with a diameter of 12-20 mm. The feasibility of large-bore rotational thrombectomy in combination with angioplasty to treat thrombosed venous iliofemoral or inferior vena cava stents has not been investigated yet. Patients and methods: Between May 2023 and June 2024, 12 patients (15 limbs) with symptomatic venous stent occlusions were treated at our institution with the 10-French Rotarex™ thrombectomy device and completed 3-month follow-up by Duplex ultrasound. The primary outcome was primary patency at 90 days after thrombectomy of stent occlusion. Safety outcomes included device-related complications, bleeding, and death. Results: Median age was 41 years, 75% were women. At the index procedure, 10 (83%) patients presented with PTS and two (17%) with acute DVT. Median time from index procedure to re-intervention was 1125 (Q1-Q3: 897-2297) days and from symptom onset to re-intervention 39 (Q1-Q3: 8-186) days. Technical success of re-intervention was achieved in all cases, and bail-out stent-in-stent placement was not required in 5 (33%) limbs. The primary patency rate at 90 days was 86.7% (95% CI: 71.0-100.0). Two (17%) patients experienced recurrent stent thrombosis and were managed conservatively. Peri-interventional minor bleeding occurred in two (17%) patients. There were no device-related complications, major bleeding, or deaths. Conclusions: Large-bore rotational thrombectomy appears to be a feasible strategy to treat iliofemoral and inferior vena cava stent thrombosis, achieving acceptable short-term patency without major adverse events.

Keywords: Mechanical thrombectomy; endovascular treatment; venous stent occlusion; venous stent patency.