Interventional Therapy for Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis

Robotic First Rib Resection in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Current Literature

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) involves the compression of neurovascular structures in the thoracic outlet. TOS subtypes, including neurogenic (nTOS), venous (vTOS), and arterial (aTOS) are characterized by distinct clinical presentations and diagnostic considerations. This review explores the incidence, diagnostic challenges, and management of TOS with a focus on the innovative approach of Robotic First Rib Resection (R-FRR). Traditional management of TOS includes conservative measures and surgical interventions, with various open surgical approaches carrying risks of complications. R-FRR, a minimally invasive technique, offers advantages such as improved exposure, reduced injury risk to neurovascular structures, and shorter hospital stays. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess the outcomes of R-FRR for TOS. Data from 12 selected studies involving 397 patients with nTOS, vTOS, and aTOS were reviewed. The results indicate that R-FRR is associated with favorable intraoperative outcomes including minimal blood loss and low conversion rates to traditional approaches. Postoperatively, patients experienced decreased pain, improved function, and low complication rates. These findings support R-FRR as a safe and effective option for medically refractory TOS.

Single-center experience with catheter-directed thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty for acute upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis: a case series study

BACKGROUND

Effective treatment of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is crucial to prevent further complications. Various treatments, including percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT), catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), decompression surgery, and venoplasty are suggested for UEDVT. However, no prospective study has yet favored any of these treatments. This study presents a review of our experience with CDT followed by balloon venoplasty in patients with acute primary UEDVT.

METHODS

We enrolled all patients diagnosed with acute UEDVT from January 2020 to June 2021. Subjects with UEDVT due to secondary causes like malignancies, indwelling catheters, or leads were excluded. CDT was performed through brachial vein access, using a perfusion catheter, and rt-PA administration. Balloon venoplasty was performed if the treated segment had remaining stenosis after CDT. Patients were followed up at the vein clinic for any signs and symptoms in the upper extremity and lifestyle changes. Follow-up ultrasonography was done 12 months after discharge.

RESULTS

Twelve patients with a mean age of 41.08 ± 14.0 years were included in the study. The mean duration of CDT was 25.00 ± 10.56 h. After CDT, all patients had remaining occlusions, with seven having more than 50% remaining stenosis. However, after balloon venoplasty, no patient had significant (more than 50%) stenosis. There was no serious complication after both procedures. Patients were followed up for a mean duration of twelve months after their admission, with a mean time of maintenance anticoagulation was 10.73 ± 5.77 months. Only one patient had recurrent symptoms in his target limb which required a decompression surgery, while the rest were free of symptoms in their treated extremity. No subject developed pulmonary emboli (PE) during admission or the follow-up period. There was no evidence of hospital readmission for any reason. Upper extremity color-doppler sonography of the patients at twelve months after their procedure showed normal venous flow without any significant stenosis in 8 (66.7%), and partially normal flow with patent target vein in 4 (33.3%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CDT followed by balloon venoplasty may be an effective treatment for selected patients with acute primary UEDVT, providing desirable long-term results and potentially avoiding the need for decompression surgery in the short or long term.

Acute venous problems: Integrating medical, surgical, and interventional treatments

"Acute venous problems" refers to a group of disorders that affect the veins and result in sudden and severe symptoms. They can be classified based on the pathological triggering mechanisms, such as thrombosis and/or mechanical compression, and their consequences, including symptoms, signs, and complications. The management and therapeutic approach depend on the severity of the disease, the location, and the involvement of the vein segment. Although summarizing these conditions can be challenging, the objective of this narrative review was to provide an overview of the most common acute venous problems. This will include an exhaustive yet concise and practical description of each condition. The multidisciplinary approach remains one of the major advantages in dealing with these conditions, maximizing the results and the prevention of complications.

Venographic classification and long-term surgical treatment outcomes for axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome (Paget-Schroetter syndrome)

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the clinical presentation, operative findings, and surgical treatment outcomes for axillary-subclavian vein (AxSCV) thrombosis due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, single-center review of 266 patients who had undergone primary surgical treatment of VTOS between 2016 and 2022. The clinical outcomes were compared between the patients in four treatment groups determined by intraoperative venography.

RESULTS

Of the 266 patients, 132 were male and 134 were female. All patients had a history of spontaneous arm swelling and idiopathic AxSCV thrombosis, including 25 (9%) with proven pulmonary embolism, at a mean age of 32.1 ± 0.8 years (range, 12-66 years). The timing of clinical presentation was acute (<15 days) for 132 patients (50%), subacute (15-90 days) for 71 (27%), and chronic (>90 days) for 63 patients (24%). Venography with catheter-directed thrombolysis or thrombectomy (CDT) and/or balloon angioplasty had been performed in 188 patients (71%). The median interval between symptom onset and surgery was 78 days. After paraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression and external venolysis, intraoperative venography showed a widely patent AxSCV in 150 patients (56%). However, 26 (10%) had a long chronic AxSCV occlusion with axillary vein inflow insufficient for bypass reconstruction. Patch angioplasty was performed for focal AxSCV stenosis in 55 patients (21%) and bypass graft reconstruction for segmental AxSCV occlusion in 35 (13%). The patients who underwent external venolysis alone (patent or occluded AxSCV; n = 176) had a shorter mean operative time, shorter postoperative length of stay and fewer reoperations and late reinterventions compared with those who underwent AxSCV reconstruction (patch or bypass; n = 90), with no differences in the incidence of overall complications or 30-day readmissions. At a median clinical follow-up of 38.7 months, 246 patients (93%) had no arm swelling, and only 17 (6%) were receiving anticoagulation treatment; 95% of those with a patent AxSCV at the end of surgery were free of arm swelling vs 69% of those with a long chronic AxSCV occlusion (P < .001). The patients who had undergone CDT at the initial diagnosis were 32% less likely to need AxSCV reconstruction at surgery (30% vs 44%; P = .034) and 60% less likely to have arm swelling at follow-up (5% vs 13%; P < .05) vs those who had not undergone CDT.

CONCLUSIONS

Paraclavicular decompression, external venolysis, and selective AxSCV reconstruction determined by intraoperative venography findings can provide successful and durable treatment for >90% of all patients with VTOS. Further work is needed to achieve earlier recognition of AxSCV thrombosis, prompt usage of CDT, and even more effective surgical treatment.

Applications of Vascular Imaging and Interventional Radiology Modalities in the Upper Extremity: A Review

Hand and upper extremity (HUE) vascular disorders are encountered frequently by hand surgeons in clinical practice. A wide array of imaging and vascular interventional radiology modalities exists for the diagnosis and treatment of HUE vascular disorders, some of which may not be familiar to the HUE surgeons. In this review article, we summarize the vascular imaging and vascular interventional radiology modalities and their relative advantages, disadvantages, and indications with respect to HUE pathology. We aim to familiarize HUE surgeons with the available types of diagnostic and therapeutic options for HUE vascular pathologies and aid interdisciplinary communication with vascular interventional radiology specialists during the clinical decision-making process.

Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis: Etiologies, Diagnosis, and Updates in Therapeutic Strategies

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is responsible for 4 to 10% of all deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Untreated UEDVT can lead to significant disability secondary to the postthrombotic syndrome. To date, there are no randomized trials specifically comparing different therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, optimal management of UEDVT depends on the underlying etiology, patient symptoms, and degree of thrombosis, with supporting evidence primarily extrapolated from lower extremity DVT data. This article will review the classification, presentation, and diagnosis of both primary and secondary UEDVT. In addition, it will discuss updates in clinical guidelines, anticoagulation, endovascular and surgical treatment strategies.

Incidence of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in the retrosternal reconstruction after esophagectomy

Background

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is relatively rare but cannot be negligible because it can cause fatal complications. Although it is reported that the occurrence rate of UEDVT has increased due to central venous catheter (CVC), cancer, and surgical invasion, there is still limited information for esophagectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical factors, including CVC placement and thromboprophylaxis approach, as well as retrosternal space’s width as a predictive factor for UEDVT in patients receiving esophagectomy.

Methods

This study included 66 patients who underwent esophagectomy with retrosternal reconstruction using a gastric tube. All patients routinely underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) on the 4th postoperative day. Low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH) was routinely administered by the 2nd postoperative day. To evaluate retrosternal space’s width, (a) The distance from sternum to brachiocephalic artery and (b) the distance from sternum to vertebra were measured by preoperative CT, and the ratio of (a) to (b) was defined as the width of retrosternal space.

Results

Among all patients, 11 (16.7%) suffered from UEDVT, and none was preoperatively received CVC placement, while 7 were inserted in non-UEDVT cases. Retrosternal space’s width in patients with UEDVT was significantly smaller than that in patients without UEDVT (0.17 vs. 0.26; P < 0.0001). A cutoff value of the width was 0.21, which has high sensitivity (87%) and specificity (82%) for UEDVT prediction, respectively.

Conclusion

The existence of CVC may not affect the development of UEDVT, but preoperative evaluation of retrosternal ratio may predict the occurrence of UEDVT.

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS) is a spectrum of disease caused by external compression of the subclavian vein as it passes through the costoclavicular space. Paget-Schroetter's Syndrome (PSS) or effort thrombosis is a subtype of vTOS where compression and microtrauma to subclavian vein from repetitive arm movements results in venous thrombosis. PSS or effort thrombosis mostly affects young otherwise healthy active individuals, and this further highlights the importance of this condition. Early diagnosis and aggressive early intervention aimed at complete resolution of acute symptoms and minimizing the risk of recurrence is ultimately important and increases the likelihood of the full restoration of limb function. Several noninvasive imaging techniques are currently available to confirm the initial diagnosis including Doppler ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Following diagnosis, multiple algorithms exist for the management of PSS and almost all require a multidisciplinary approach. Like any other condition involving the thrombosis of deep venous system, initial step in the management is anticoagulation. Catheter-directed therapies (CDT) have also a pivotal role as the initial treatment to resolve the acute thrombosis and establish venous patency. CDT combined with medical anticoagulation and surgical decompression are the components of most treatment algorithms for the management of patients suffering from PSS.

Evaluation and Management of Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is uncommon but occurs in young, healthy patients, typically presenting as subclavian vein (SCV) effort thrombosis. Venous TOS arises through chronic repetitive compression injury of the SCV in the costoclavicular space with progressive venous scarring, focal stenosis, and eventual thrombosis. Diagnosis is evident on clinical presentation with sudden spontaneous upper extremity swelling and cyanotic discoloration. Initial treatment includes anticoagulation, venography, and pharmacomechanical thrombolysis. Surgical management using paraclavicular decompression can result in relief from arm swelling, freedom from long-term anticoagulation, and a return to unrestricted upper extremity activity in more than 90% of patients.

Effort Thrombosis in 2 Athletes Suspected of Musculoskeletal Injury

Objective

This case series describes the clinical presentation of effort thrombosis and the utility of sonography in its diagnosis.

Clinical Features

Two young male athletes presented to separate chiropractic clinics with suspected musculoskeletal shoulder injury. The first complained of dull shoulder pain after pitching in a baseball game and had no other signs or symptoms. The second presented after performing a weighted plank exercise and had prominent edema and discoloration of the affected extremity.

Intervention and Outcome

In the first patient, who had no physical signs to suggest thrombosis, a normal sonographic musculoskeletal shoulder exam prompted imaging in the abduction-external rotation position. This provided visualization of a thrombus in the axillosubclavian vein. Emergent referral followed, and treatment was initiated with thrombolysis and surgery, which resolved his condition. The second patient had physical signs consistent with effort thrombosis and was also referred to the emergency department, where sonography was performed and revealed thrombosis of the axillary and basilic veins. He responded to anticoagulants and thrombolysis and avoided surgery.

Conclusion

Effort thrombosis has a variable presentation that can mimic common musculoskeletal disorders and has a poorly defined diagnostic pathway. Acute shoulder pain in an athlete, especially with extremity edema after repetitive exertion, warrants urgent imaging such as sonography and emergent referral. Clinicians should understand the importance of a timely evaluation and diagnosis of effort thrombosis and that imaging may include sonography as a first-line imaging tool.