The effect of Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy in the endovascular treatment of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis

Objective To evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of percutaneous rheolytic thrombectomy in patients with acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. Method Sixty-eight consecutive patients with acute massive lower extremity deep venous thrombosis were included in this retrospective study. A percutaneous rheolytic thrombectomy device (Angiojet ® Rheolytic thrombectomy catheter, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) was used in all patients in an angiography suite through ipsilateral popliteal vein access. Thrombus clearance and complications were evaluated. Furthermore, patients underwent a clinical evaluation according to a modified Villalta scale for the investigation of post thrombotic syndrome in follow-up. The Venous Clinical Severity Score, Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Sym questionnaires were completed preoperatively and readministered postoperatively. Results Overall thrombus clearance (complete recanalization was achieved in 58 patients (85.2%) and partial recanalization was achieved in 7 patients (10.2%) confirmed through venographic assessment was achieved in 95.5% of the patient population. The mean Venous Clinical Severity Score preoperatively was 13.1 ± 2.2 and decreased to 4.0 ± 1.3 postoperatively (P < 0.01). The Villalta scale dropped from 12.9 ± 2.8 to 5.5 ± 1.4 postoperatively (P < 0.001). Overall quality of life and symptoms improved as assessed by Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Sym (P < 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Only three minor bleedings were seen but none of the patients suffered from major bleeding, symptomatic pulmonary embolism, death, or other procedure related complications. Fifty-nine out of 65 patients (90.7%) who were treated successfully with rheolytic thrombectomy remained patent at 12 months according to DUS and five patients (7.3%) developed a mild post thrombotic syndrome. Conclusion Rheolytic thrombectomy with or without stenting is superior to anticoagulant therapy alone in terms of both ensuring venous patency and improving clinical symptoms. This technique is a safe, effective and easily performed method of endovascular treatment with a low rate of major treatment complications and shows promising clinical mid-term results.