Long-Term Results of Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Combined with Iliac Vein Stenting for Iliofemoral Deep Vein Thrombosis

Clinical Outcomes at 3 Years After Stenting for Thrombotic and Non-thrombotic Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome Patients

Iliac vein stenting for the treatment of iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) has been gradually developed. This article investigated the long-term patency and improvement of clinical symptoms after endovascular stenting for iliac vein obstruction patients. From 2020 to 2022, 83 patients at a single institution with IVCS underwent venous stent implantation and were divided into two groups: non-thrombotic IVCS (n = 55) and thrombotic IVCS (n = 28). The main stent-related outcomes include technical success, long-term patency, and thrombotic events. The technical success rate of all stent implantation was 100%. The mean length of hospital stay and cost were higher in the thrombotic IVCS group than in the non-thrombotic ICVS group, as well as the length of diseased vessel segment and the number of stents implanted were higher than in the control non-thrombotic group. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year patency rates were 85.4%, 80% and 66.7% in the thrombosis group, which were lower than 93.6%, 88.7%, and 87.5% in the control group (P = .0135, hazard ratio = 2.644). In addition, patients in both groups had a foreign body sensation after stent implantation, which resolved spontaneously within 1 year after surgery. Overall, there were statistically significant differences in long-term patency rate outcome between patients with thrombotic and non-thrombotic IVCS, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year patency rates in non-thrombotic IVCS patients were higher than those in thrombotic IVCS patients.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 12-Month Patency After Intervention for Iliofemoral Obstruction Using Dedicated or Non-Dedicated Venous Stents

BACKGROUND

Endovascular stenting of the deep venous system has been proposed as a method to treat patients with symptomatic iliofemoral outflow obstruction. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of this treatment at 1-year following the development of dedicated venous stents.

METHOD AND RESULTS

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies evaluating the effectiveness of venous stent placement. Data were extracted by disease pathogenesis: non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVL), acute thrombotic (DVT), or post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Main outcomes included technical success, stent patency at 1 year and symptom relief. A total of 49 studies reporting outcomes in 5154 patients (NIVL, 1431; DVT, 950; PTS, 2773) were included in the meta-analysis. Technical success rates were comparable among groups (97%-100%). There were no periprocedural deaths. Minor bleeding was reported in up to 5% of patients and major bleeding in 0.5% upon intervention. Transient back pain was noted in 55% of PTS patients following intervention. There was significant heterogeneity between studies reporting outcomes in PTS patients. Primary and cumulative patency at 1 year was: NIVL-96% and 100%; DVT-91% and 97%; PTS (stents above the ligament)-77% and 94%, and; PTS (stents across the ligament)-78% and 94%. There were insufficient data to compare patency outcomes of dedicated and nondedicated venous stents in patients with acute DVT. In NIVL and PTS patients, stent patency was comparable at 1 year. There was inconsistency in the use of validated tools for the measurement of symptoms before and after intervention. When reported, venous claudication, improved in 83% of PTS patients and 90% of NIVL patients, and ulcer healing occurred in 80% of PTS patients and 32% of NIVL patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The first generation of dedicated venous stents perform comparably in terms of patency and clinical outcomes to non-dedicated technologies at 1 year for the treatment of patients with NIVL and PTS. However, significant heterogeneity exists between studies and standardized criteria are urgently needed to report outcomes in patients undergoing deep venous stenting.

The clinical outcome of a one-stop procedure for patients with iliac vein compression combined with varicose veins

BACKGROUND

Primary iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) often is manifested with varicose veins (VVs), but the treatment of patients with IVCS combined with VVs remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of a one-stop procedure for patients with IVCS and VVs.

METHODS

The 32 enrolled patients underwent iliac stenting first and then endovenous laser ablation for VVs. The reflux time of the femoral vein, peak reflux velocity, and mean flow velocity were measured, and the effect on quality of life was also assessed using the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire and Venous Clinical Severity Score. All clinical data have been recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The success rate of the procedures was 100%. No serious complications occurred. The Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score and Venous Clinical Severity Score of patients were significantly lower at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after the procedure compared with scores before the procedure (P < .01). The reflux time and peak reflux velocity were lower at 6 and 12 months after the procedure (P < .01), and the mean flow velocity was higher at 6 and 12 months after the procedure (P < .05). The patency rate of the iliac vein stent was 100% during follow-up, and one patient (3.13%) had a restenosis without symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The one-stop procedure for patients with IVCS combined with VVs is a safe and effective method that might be a therapy choice for these patients.

The Midterm Effect of Iliac Vein Stenting following Catheter-directed Thrombolysis for the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis

BACKGROUND

When following catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the stenosed iliac veins is controversy. To evaluate the mid-term outcomes of CDT with or without stent implantation for DVT in the presence of iliac vein compression.

METHODS

Seventy-three patients with iliac vein compression following CDT for acute lower extremity DVT from January 2009 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 males and 41 females, with average age of 53.57 ± 15.60 years (median: 45 years, range: 20-79 years). After CDT, patients with iliac vein compression were divided into 2 groups: the stenting group (n = 40) and the nonstenting group (n = 33). Patency rate of the deep vein, chronic change of vessels, clinical, etiological, anatomical, and pathological elements (CEAP) classification, venous clinical severity score, and Villalta scale were chosen to evaluate the midterm and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight limbs among the patients (58 unilateral and 15 bilateral) were followed with mean time of 38.38 ± 14.91 months. The difference in vein patency between 2 groups (85.17 ± 25.62 vs. 54.61 ± 40.42) was statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to the C in CEAP classification, the difference in clinical manifestations between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, the Villalta scale scores were also significantly different between the 2 groups (1.73 ± 2.86 vs. 4.39 ± 5.16, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Stent implantation in severely stenosed iliac segments following CDT for lower extremity DVT increased the patency of deep veins and improved midterm quality of life compared with that of nonstenting.

Endovascular Management of May-Thurner Syndrome in Adolescents: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

To report a single-center experience in regard to the technique, safety, and clinical outcomes of endovascular therapy for treatment of May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) in adolescent patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review identified 10 patients (6 female; mean age, 16 y; range, 12-18 y; mean weight, 73 kg; range, 50-116 kg) treated by endovascular therapy for MTS from 1998 to 2015. Clinical presentations consisted of acute thrombotic MTS (n = 6) and nonthrombotic MTS (n = 4). Catheter-directed thrombolysis was performed in all cases of thrombosis. Venoplasty and stent placement were performed in all cases. Self-expanding stents 12-16 mm in diameter and 4-9 cm in length were deployed.

RESULTS

No major periprocedural complications were observed. Median follow-up was 32 months (range, 6-109 mo). Primary and secondary patency rates were 79% and 100% at 12 months and 79% and 89% at 36 months, respectively. In a single patient with permanent loss of flow in the treated segment, multiple risk factors for thrombosis were identified. Rates of posttreatment symptoms were 0% by Villalta score and 60% (n = 6; mild symptoms) by modified Villalta score at the last clinical follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular therapy for the treatment of MTS in our adolescent cohort was safe and effective in relieving venous obstruction. Stent placement in patients with underlying thrombophilic disorders is associated with loss of secondary patency, suggesting the need for further consideration in this population.