Endovenous therapy for deep venous thrombosis: The TORPEDO trial

Objectives. We compared the efficacy and safety of percutaneous endovenous intervention (PEVI) plus anticoagulation with anticoagulation alone in the reduction of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in acute proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Background. Recurrent VTE and PTS are common complications of DVT. There are no randomized trials investigating the efficacy of PEVI in the reduction of the above complications. Methods. Patients with symptomatic proximal DVT were randomized to receive PEVI plus anticoagulation or anticoagulation alone. Anticoagulation consisted of intravenous unfractionated heparin or subcutaneous low‐molecular weight heparin plus warfarin. PEVI consisted of one or more of a combination of thrombectomy, balloon venoplasty, stenting, or local low‐dose thrombolytic therapy. Results. At 6 months follow‐up, recurrent VTE developed in 2 of 88 patients of the PEVI plus anticoagulation group versus 12 of 81of the anticoagulation‐alone group (2.3% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.003). PTS developed in 3 of 88 patients of the PEVI plus anticoagulation Group and 22 of 81 of the anticoagulation‐alone group (3.4% vs. 27.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusions. In patients with symptomatic proximal DVT, PEVI plus anticoagulation may be superior to anticoagulation—alone in the reduction of VTE and PTS at 6 months. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.