Endovascular Interventions for Venous Disease

Invasive and Pharmacological Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis: a Scoping Review

The annual occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is 300,000-600,000 cases in the United States and 700,000 in Europe. VTE includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of upper or lower extremities, superior and inferior vena cava thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism (PE) as well. The primary treatment of DVT includes oral anticoagulation to prevent the progression of the thrombus and decrease the risk of pulmonary embolism. Depending on the symptoms, more invasive treatments can be applied to target the iliofemoral thrombus and its removal. However, less emphasis is given to acute symptomatology, early recovery of function, quality of life improvement, and the individualized likelihood of developing post-thrombotic syndrome. While invasive therapy has been used to enhance the acute management of iliofemoral DVT, our knowledge about the overall outcomes associated with the invasive treatment of VTE is still limited. In this review, we illustrate the available data on pharmacological and endovascular management of iliofemoral VTE, including therapies such as catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), mechanical thrombectomy (PMT), and pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT).

Anticoagulation Treatment in Venous Thromboembolism: Options and Optimal Duration

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), clinically presenting as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), constitutes a major global healthcare concern with severe complications, long-term morbidity and mortality. Although several clinical, genetic and acquired risk factors for VTE have been identified, the molecular pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease progression remain poorly understood. Anticoagulation has been the cornerstone of therapy for decades, but there still are uncertainties regarding primary and secondary VTE prevention, as well as optimal therapy duration. In this review we discuss the role of factor Xa in coagulation cascade and the different choices of anticoagulation therapy based on patients' predisposing risk factors and risk of event recurrence. Further, we compare newer agents to traditional anticoagulation treatment, based on most recent studies and guidelines.

Clinical outcomes and overview of dedicated venous stents for management of chronic iliocaval and femoral deep venous disease

OBJECTIVES

Venous stenting of the lower extremities has grown in popularity and is now considered a key component of the primary treatment strategy for the management of pathologically obstructive or stenotic lesions of the deep venous system. This review aims to provide an overview of the role of venous stenting in the management of chronic conditions affecting the deep venous system of the lower limbs.

METHODS

An overview of venous stents design and current role of stenting procedure in individuals presenting with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and presenting the current trials of dedicated venous stenting in management of chronic deep venous lesions. This review provides a focused insight on venous stent design, physical properties and the available dedicated venous stents selected studies with their related patency outcome based on selective literature search of the PubMed database and Cochrane library.

CONCLUSIONS

Dedicated venous stent technology is advancing at a rapid pace alongside the increased undertaking of endovascular deep venous stent reconstruction in the management of iliocaval vein pathologies. The ideal design(s) for venous stents remain unknown, although it is hoped that the presence of new dedicated venous stents in clinical practice will allow the generation of experience and data to advance our understanding in this area.

A new treatment paradigm for phlegmasia cerulea dolen: Single stage endovascular pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with venoplasty and stenting

BACKGROUND

Phlegmasia Cerulae Dolen (PCD) is potentially a lethal disease but there is currently no established treatment algorithm for it. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of single stage endovascular pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with venoplasty and stenting in the treatment of PCD.

METHOD

This was a retrospective single centre observational study of consecutive patients who underwent endovascular intervention for the treatment of PCD between June 2016 and March 2020. Clinical and procedural details were recorded. Procedural and clinical success rate, procedural complications, and 30 days mortality were reported.

RESULT

11 patients were treated during the study period. 2 (18.2%) had active malignancy. 63.6% were uncomplicated PCD on presentation. Common iliac vein compression or stenosis were demonstrated in all patients. Venous stents were implanted in all cases and procedures were successful in all cases. All patients had symptoms improvement at 72 hours post procedure. Other than 2 major bleeding complications, there was no other adverse event. The 30 days mortality was 18.2%. Active malignancy and the presence of anaemia were significantly associated with major complications.

CONCLUSION

Single stage endovascular thrombectomy and stenting was effective and safe in the treatment of patients with PCD. Common Iliac vein compression was a common underlying cause of PCD.

Percutaneous Mechanical Aspiration vs Valve Surgery for Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis in People Who Inject Drugs

BACKGROUND

Valve surgery in tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE) is controversial in people who inject drugs (PWID) due to perceived risks of reinfection because of recidivism. The study objective was to compare outcomes of percutaneous mechanical aspiration (PMA) using the Penumbra Indigo system to valve surgery in PWID with TVIE.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort of adult PWID hospitalized with definite TVIE and received PMA or valve surgery from January 2014 to April 2019. Primary endpoint was all-cause 12-month mortality; secondary endpoints included in-hospital mortality and all-cause 12-month readmission.

RESULTS

In total, 85 patients were included: 42 undergoing PMA and 43 undergoing valve surgery. Baseline patient demographics were similar between groups; 62 (73%) patients were women, and the median age was 31 (interquartile range, 27-41) years. Seventy-four (86%) patients had a previous history of infective endocarditis and received long-term antibiotic therapy before surgical intervention; 33 (38%) patients presented with septic shock on admission. The most commonly organism was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 32 of 84, 38%). Five (12%) PMA patients died in hospital compared with 1 (2%) patient who received valve surgery (P = .11). All-cause 12-month mortality was 24% and 19% for the PMA and surgery groups, respectively (P = .57). When considering confounders, there was no difference in all-cause 12-month mortality between the PMA and valve surgery groups (adjusted odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-4.8); no significant differences in secondary outcomes were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

PMA was associated with similar outcomes to valve surgery for management of TVIE in PWID. PMA may be an alternative to valve surgery as a treatment or bridging strategy to surgery while PWID undergo addiction treatment.

Trans-jugular AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy for acute deep vein thrombosis: Alternative to overcome the limitation of patient's position

BACKGROUND

To introduce a transjugular retrograde approach for AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy (RT) just after transjugular placement of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) to treat acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

METHODS

From September 2018 to April 2019, transjugular Angiojet RT using pulse spray method was performed just after transjugular placement of IVCF in five patients (M:F = 3:2, mean age 70 years). Patients less than 165 cm in height with acute (<14 days) iliofemoral DVT were unable to assume a prone position. All patients underwent pre- and postprocedural venography to estimate thrombus reduction grade. Computed tomography angiograms at 3 and 6 months postoperative were compared with baseline scans. Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) symptoms were evaluated according to Villalta score during 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean procedure time for all procedures was 1.4 h. Thrombus was completely reduced in three patients and 50% to 99% reduction was noted in the other two. No patients had major complications during the hospital stay and follow-up period. Distal migration of IVCF occurred in one patient during the procedure and immediate IVCF repositioning was performed. No DVT remained in follow-up computed tomography scans of all patients. PTS did not develop in any patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

In patients who are unable to assume a prone position, a transjugular retrograde approach with AngioJet RT just after transjugular placement of IVCF to treat acute lower extremity DVT was a time-saving and easy alternative. During the procedure, attention to the guiding catheter position and AngioJet device movement was required to avoid affecting the IVCF.

Initial experience with a new pharmacomechanical thrombectomy device for deep venous thrombosis: Report of 91 cases

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmacomechanical thrombectomy using a new rotational thrombectomy device with additional thrombus-removal methods for deep venous thrombosis.

Methods

A total of 91 patients admitted to our tertiary center with symptomatic iliac, ilio-femoral, femoro-popliteal deep venous thrombosis and who underwent hybrid pharmacomechanical thrombectomy constituted the study group. Postinterventional color Doppler ultrasonography was repeated at 1st, 6th, and 12th months. Villalta scoring system was used to evaluate the patients for the development of post-thrombotic syndrome after deep venous thrombosis. The patient-reported severity of pain in the index leg was measured on a Likert scale.

Results

Of the 91 patients whose charts were reviewed, the location of thrombus was iliofemoral in 60 (65.9%) and femoropopliteal in 31 (34.1%) patients, respectively. Duration of symptoms was 5.62 ± 3.43 (range, 2–15) days. Technical success was observed in 82 patients (90.1%) at 3 months, in 77 patients (84.6%) at 6 months, and in 74 patients (81.3%) at 12 months. Villalta score was over 10 points in 15 of 17 patients whose Doppler US revealed venous occlusions, at 12 months, and in 8 patients with recurrent deep venous thrombosis. Post-thrombotic syndrome was detected in 18 patients in our study. Twelve (13.2%) of these 18 patients had mild, 5 (5.5%) moderate, and 1 (1.1%) severe PTS. In predicting predisposing factors in 18 patients with PTS, 13 patients (72.2%) had a Villalta score ≥10, 10 patients (55.6%) had experienced a delayed endovascular procedure (≥10 days), and 8 patients (44.4%) had recurrent deep venous thrombosis.

Conclusion

The endovenous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with the Mantis thrombectomy device in the treatment of acute and subacute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis is a promising approach in terms of efficacy and safety in the early period regarding reasonable and long-term prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome, development of pulmonary thromboembolism, and adequate venous system patency.