title: Excellent long-term results with iliac stenting in local anesthesia for post-thrombotic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Only 20% of iliac veins will recanalize on anticoagulation (AC) treatment alone and may, therefore, develop venous obstruction after iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A considerable number of these patients will suffer from post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) leading to impaired quality of life in more than 50%. Endovascular treatment for iliac vein obstruction using stents is known to alleviate PTS symptoms in selected patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the Danish long-term results of endovascular treatment with iliac stenting.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2000 to 2013 consecutive patients were evaluated and 19 patients with severe venous claudication were identified and subsequently underwent angioplasty and stenting. AC treatment was prescribed for 6 months, and knee-high class II compression stocking recommended for 1 year. Scheduled follow-up was done in the outpatient clinic at 6 weeks, 3 months, and annually thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients, all women, all with left-sided iliac vein obstruction, and all with severe PTS symptoms were included. The median follow-up time was 81 months (range, 1-146 months; mean, 69 months). Primary patency rate of the inserted iliac stent was 89% (17/19) and 16 patients (84 %) had almost or total symptom relief at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular stenting of iliac obstruction in local anesthesia is minimally invasive and shows excellent long-term outcomes for patients suffering from PTS.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Clinic, Gentofte Hospital and Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klitfod
authors.affiliation: Vascular Clinic, Gentofte Hospital and Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Just
authors.affiliation: Vascular Clinic, Gentofte Hospital and Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foegh
authors.affiliation: Vascular Clinic, Gentofte Hospital and Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baekgaard
keywords: Vascular; obstruction; stents; ultrasound; veins