title: Catheter-directed lysis of iliofemoral vein thrombosis with use of rt-PA.
abstract: The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of catheter-directed thrombolysis and complementary procedures to treat acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A total of 24 consecutive patients with acute iliofemoral DVT underwent intrathrombus drip infusion of alteplase (3 mg/h; mean dosage 86 mg, range 45-174 mg), while intravenous heparin (1000 U/h) was continued. Complementary procedures were hydrodynamic thrombectomy in 3 and primary insertion of a Wallstent in 9 patients. Patency of 19 thrombosed veins (79 %) was restored with prompt symptomatic relief. An underlying anatomical anomaly or lesion was present in 13 patients: iliac vein compression syndrome (n = 8), absent (n = 2) or obstructed (n = 1) vena cava or venous stenosis (n = 2). Ten of the abnormalities were unknown before lysis and eight were relieved by stent deployment. Puncture site bleeding was the only complication but led to transfusion in 6 patients (25 %). Symptomatic reocclusion occurred in 4 patients. Catheter thrombolysis of iliofemoral vein thrombosis revealed many anatomical abnormalities which may predispose to thrombosis and are often amenable to stenting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Centre of Vascular Pathology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verhaeghe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stockx
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vermylen
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baert
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011859:Radiography; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015607:Stents; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006493:Heparin; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator