Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with deep venous thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
To report our experience with mechanical thrombectomy in proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT).


METHODS
Eighteen patients with a mean (+/- SD) age of 37.6 +/- 16.1 years who presented with DVT in the iliac and femoral vein (n = 3), inferior vena cava (n = 5), or inferior vena cava and iliac vein (n = 10), were treated with the Amplatz Thrombectomy Device after insertion of a temporary caval filter.


RESULTS
Successful recanalization was achieved in 15 of 18 patients (83%). Overall, the percentage of thrombus removed was 66 +/- 29%: 73 +/- 30% at caval level and 55 +/- 36% at iliofemoral level. Complementary interventions (seven patients) were balloon angioplasty (n = 2), angioplasty and stenting (n = 2), thrombo-aspiration alone (n = 1), thrombo-aspiration, balloon angioplasty, and permanent filter (n = 1), and permanent filter alone (n = 1). There was one in-hospital death. Follow-up was obtained at a mean of 29.6 months; three patients had died (two cancers, one myocardial infarction); 10 had no or minimal sequelae; one had post-phlebitic limb.


CONCLUSIONS
Mechanical thrombectomy is a potential therapeutic option in patients presenting with proximal DVT.
Delomez
M
M
Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Cardiologique, Boulevard du Professeur Leclerq, F-59037 Lille Cedex, France.
Beregi
J P
JP
Willoteaux
S
S
Bauchart
J J
JJ
Janne d'Othée
B
B
Asseman
P
P
Perez
N
N
Théry
C
C
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery*