title: Catheter-direct thrombolysis versus pharmacomechanical thrombectomy for treatment of symptomatic lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheolytic mechanical thrombectomy using the AngioJet catheter (Possis Medical, Minneapolis, MN) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Additional infusion of thrombolytic agents via the device creates a novel treatment strategy of pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT), which further enhances thrombectomy efficacy. The purpose of the current study was to compare the treatment outcome in patients with symptomatic DVT who underwent either catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) or PMT intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a recent 8-year period, clinical records of all patients with symptomatic lower leg DVT undergoing catheter-directed interventions were evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 treatment groups: CDT or PMT. Comparisons were made with regards to the treatment outcome between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 93 patients who underwent 98 catheter-directed interventions for DVT were included in the study. Among them, CDT or PMT was performed in 46 (47%) and 52 (53%) procedures, respectively. In the CDT group, complete or partial thrombus removal was accomplished in 32 (70%) and 14 (30%) cases, respectively. In the PMT cohort, complete or partial thrombus removal was accomplished in 39 (75%) and 13 (25%) cases, respectively. Venous balloon angioplasty and/or stenting in the CDT or PMT groups was necessary in 36 (78%) and 43 (82%), respectively (difference not significant [NS]). Patients in the CDT groups underwent a mean of 2.5 venograms during the hospital course, in contrast to 0.4 venograms per patient in PMT cohorts (P < .001). Immediate (<24 hours) improvement in clinical symptoms in CDT and PMT groups was achieved in 33 (72%) and 42 (81%) cases, respectively (NS). Significant reductions in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital lengths of stay was noted in the PMT group (0.6 and 4.6 days) when compared to the CDT group (2.4 and 8.4 days). During follow-up visits, the primary patency rates at 1 year of CDT and PMT groups were 64% and 68%, respectively (NS). Hospital cost analysis showed significant cost reduction in the PMT group compared to the CDT group (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PMT with adjunctive thrombolytic therapy is an effective treatment modality in patients with significant DVT. When compared to CDT, this treatment provides similar treatment success with reduced ICU, total hospital length of stay, and hospital costs.
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center (112), 2002 Holcomb Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA. rfeldtman@swmail.sw.org <rfeldtman@swmail.sw.org>
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dardik
authors.forename: Firas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mussa
authors.forename: Panos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kougias
authors.forename: Nasim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hedayati
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Naoum
authors.forename: Hosam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Sayed
authors.forename: Eric K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Peden
authors.forename: Tam T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Huynh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011152:Popliteal Vein; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017131:Thrombectomy; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents