Catheter-directed Thrombolysis and Stenting in the Treatment of Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome with Acute Iliofemoral Deep Vein Thrombosis: Outcome and Follow-up

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and stenting in the treatment of iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) with acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT).A retrospective analysis was conducted in 61 patients (36 women, 25 men, age range 32-90 years, mean 64 years) who had IVCS with acute iliofemoral thrmobosis (≤10 days) and were treated by CDT and stenting between June 2006 and August 2011. All patients presented with IVCS with a median duration of 4.1 days and were treated with CDT (urokinase: initial dose of 125,000-250,000 U followed by 20,000-60,000 U/hr) followed by stent placement. Filters were implanted in those patients with existing pulmonary embolism (PE), inferior caval vein thrombosis, or in accordance with the patients' request. The patency, the pressure gradient crossing the stenosis of the iliac vein, both thigh and calf limb circumferences, and complications were assessed before and after CDT and stenting. A Duplex ultrasound was used to perform follow-up examinations at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years after the operation.Three patients had PE before CDT as assessed by the computed tomography angiography. A total of 28 patients had a filter implanted (25 patients had a Cordis permanent filter and 3 patients had a Braun temporary filter). A total of 68 stents were implanted in 61 patients. Overall, the 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year primary patency rates were 96.7%, 95.1%, 91.8%, 90.2%, 88.5%, and 85.2%, respectively. The pressure gradient crossing the stenosis of the iliac vein decreased significantly after CDT and stenting (7.22 ± 4.64 vs. 1.82 ± 2.78 cm H2O, P < 0.001). The reductions of thigh and calf circumferences were 66.7% (6.19 ± 2.67 vs. 1.98 ± 1.43 cm) and 61.6% (4.36 ± 2.10 vs. 1.46 ± 1.10 cm), respectively. Reocclusion occurred in 7 patients within 1-27 months. Four patients (7%) experienced minor bleeding and were treated successfully with sandbag compression. One patient felt light pain on the left waist after 3 months of stenting. No large hematoma, stent migration, or acute thrombosis complications occurred during the procedure. Two patients died from nonvascular causes during a follow-up of 2-62 months (mean, 31.0 months). Four patients were found with limb swelling and three patients felt heaviness. The incidence rate of postthrombotic syndrome was 11.5% (7/61).Treatment with CDT for IVCS with acute DVT achieves good patency and vein function after 5 years of follow-up in this study. However, further evidence is required to establish longer term benefits.