Long-term mortality in patients with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava, iliac and femoral veins.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term mortality in patients with thrombosis of the vena cava, iliac and femoral veins. DESIGN: Registry study. MATERIALS: Between 1992 and 2000, 212 consecutive patients with acute pelvic vein thrombosis diagnosed by duplex sonography were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the most proximal extent of the thrombus. MRI revealed a thrombosis in the inferior vena cava in 46 patients (22%), in the iliac vein in 142 patients (67%), and in the femoral vein in 24 patients (11%). METHODS: The vital status of the patients was investigated in April 2004 using the Austrian National Registry and the Cause of Death Register. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients of the original 212 patients were monitored over a mean follow-up period of 91 months. Seventy-two of 211 patients (34%) had died. There was no significant difference in the long-term mortality, the survival period or the occurrence of fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) between previously diagnosed vena cava, iliac vein, or femoral vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Extension of a thrombus into the inferior caval vein in patients considered to have a pelvic vein thrombosis has no impact on long-term mortality or the development of fatal PE compared to those patients with thrombus limited to more distal veins.     

CT Venography and CT Angiography of the Pulmonary Arteries in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic value of CT venography after CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries using multislice helical CT in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS: Between September 1999 and April 2001 252 patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism were examined. CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries was followed by CT venography of the inferior vena cava, the iliac veins and the proximal femoral veins; after April 2000 the popliteal veins and the proximal lower leg veins were additionally investigated. The examinations were performed with a double detector and a multidetector scanner (Elscint Twin and GE Lightspeed). RESULTS: Pulmonary embolism was found in 79/252 patients (40 central and 39 segmental/subsegmental PE). In 38/40 patients with central PE and in 22/39 patients with segmental/subsegmental PE in CT venography a deep venous thrombosis was detected, in 1/79 patient a doubled inferior vena cava could be found. In 5 patients with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava a transjugular cava filter placement was performed. In 13/173 patients without pulmonary embolism CT venography showed deep venous thrombosis. CONCLUSION: CT venography of the lower extremities is a practical and efficient additional examination to CT angiography in clinical suspected pulmonary embolism. It can detect the causing venous thrombosis with a high sensitivity.     

A volumetric index for the quantification of deep venous thrombosis

PURPOSE: The evaluation of treatment strategies for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is assessed through the use of a reliable method of quantifying the extent of the thrombotic process. Previous indices of thrombus burden have suffered from various limitations, including lack of clinical relevance, poor correlation with actual thrombus mass, and failure to include important venous segments in the methodology. The use of a novel scheme of quantifying venous thrombus was evaluated as an alternative method that would avoid some of the drawbacks of existing indices. METHODS: The volumes of 14 venous segments (infrarenal inferior vena cava, common iliac, hypogastric, external iliac, common femoral, profunda, superficial femoral, and popliteal and six tibial veins) were calculated from computed tomography (pelvic vein diameter), duplex ultrasound scan (infrainguinal vein diameter), and contrast venography (length of all segments) measurements. A venous volumetric index (VVI) was assigned with the normalization of the values to the volume of a single calf vein. The VVI was validated with the assessment of the ability to discriminate between asymptomatic and symptomatic DVT and between those DVT that were associated with pulmonary emboli and those that were not. RESULTS: With the imaging data, the VVI ranged from 1 for a single calf vein thrombus to 26 for the infrarenal inferior vena cava. Each VVI unit represented 2.3 mL of thrombus, with a maximum possible score of 63 representing a thrombus burden of 145 mL for a single extremity, including the infrarenal inferior vena cava. In 885 patients with DVT, the VVI ranged from 1 to 56, averaging 3.9 +/- 0.2 in patients who were asymptomatic and 8.7 +/- 0.3 in patients who were symptomatic (P <.001). The VVI was similar in the patients with pulmonary emboli as compared with those without (9.6 +/- 1.2 vs 7.7 +/- 0.2, respectively). In comparison with the three existing methods of quantifying venous thrombus burden, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results suggested that the VVI and the Venous Registry index were better than the other two indices in the discrimination of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic DVT (P <.001). CONCLUSION: A novel index of venous thrombus burden, on the basis of actual venous volume measurements, was more accurate than present indices in the differentiation between clinical categories of patients with DVT. As such, it offers an acceptable alternative to current scoring systems.     

Massive pulmonary embolism caused by internal iliac vein thrombosis with free-floating thrombus formation in the inferior vena cava

Nowadays, compression ultrasonography (CUS) is the gold standard for the routine diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The drawback of CUS is the low sensitivity concerning the diagnosis of isolated pelvic vein thrombosis, especially referring to isolated internal iliac vein and ovarian vein thromboses. Therefore, magnetic resonance (MR) venography has become a valuable alternative. We present the case of a 45-year-old female patient with a massive pulmonary embolism with the indication for thrombolytic therapy due to severe right ventricular overload. We were not able to detect a DVT in the lower limbs of this patient with CUS. However, further DVT workup by MR venography showed a free-floating thrombus formation originating from the right internal iliac veins into the inferior vena cava. Owing to the fact that this thrombus was free floating, surgical removal of the thrombus was scheduled and performed successfully. In some patients it might be important to look for so-called rare causes of pulmonary embolism, even when CUS of the lower limbs does not reveal any DVTs. The diagnostic procedure of choice for these patients seems to be MR phlebography, as iliac and pelvic veins can be evaluated without radiation exposure with this procedure.     

Role of prophylactic temporary inferior vena cava filters placed at the ICU bedside under intravascular ultrasound guidance in patients with multiple trauma

OBJECTIVE: Patients with multiple trauma often have injuries that preclude the use of anticoagulation therapy or sequential compression device prophylaxis. Temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filters (IVCFs) offer protection against pulmonary embolism during the early immediate injury and perioperative period, when risk is highest, while averting potential long-term sequelae of permanent IVCFs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic, temporary IVCF placement at the intensive care unit bedside under real-time intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in patients with multiple trauma. INTERVENTIONS: Ninety-four patients with multiple trauma seen between July 1, 2002, and November 1, 2003, underwent placement of OptEase (Cordis Endovascular) retrievable IVCFs under real-time IVUS guidance. Mean (+/-SD) Injury Severity Score was 25.1 +/- 2.2). Abdominal x-ray films were obtained in all patients to verify filter location. Before IVCF retrieval all patients underwent femoral vein color-flow ultrasound scanning to rule out deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pre-procedure and post-procedure vena cavography to identify possible IVCF thrombus entrapment and post-retrieval inferior vena cava injury. RESULTS: Nineteen patients died of their injuries; no deaths were related to IVCF placement. One pulmonary embolism occurred during follow-up after filter retrieval, and 1 insertion site femoral vein DVT occurred. As verified on abdominal x-ray films, 96.8% (91 of 94) of IVCFs were placed without complications at the L2-3 level. Filter-related complications included 2 groin hematomas (2.1%) and 3 IVCFs misplaced in the right iliac vein (3.2%), early in our experience; the filters were uneventfully retrieved and replaced in the inferior vena cava within 24 hours. Thirty-one patients underwent uneventful retrieval of IVCFs after DVT or pulmonary embolism anticoagulation prophylaxis was initiated. Forty-four filters were not removed, 41 because severity of injury prevented DVT or pulmonary embolism prophylaxis and 3 because of thrombus trapped within the filter. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic, temporary IVCF placement at the intensive care unit bedside under IVUS guidance in patients with multiple trauma is simple and safe, and serves as an effective "bridge" to anticoagulation therapy until venous thromboembolism prophylaxis can be initiated. Further investigation of this bedside technique and the role of temporary IVCFs in patients with multiple trauma is warranted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients with multiple trauma often have injuries that preclude the use of anticoagulation therapy or sequential compression device prophylaxis. Temporary inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) offer protection against pulmonary embolism during the perioperative and immediate injury period, when risk is highest. Ninety-four patients with multiple trauma underwent prophylactic, temporary IVCF placement at the intensive care unit bedside under real-time intravascular ultrasound. One pulmonary embolism occurred during follow-up after filter retrieval, and 1 insertion site femoral vein deep venous thrombosis occurred. Ninety-one of 94 IVCFs (96.8%) were placed without complication. Thirty-one patients underwent uneventful retrieval of IVCFs after anticoagulation prophylaxis was initiated. Forty-four filters were not removed, because of severity of injury (n = 41) or because of trapped thrombus within the filter (n = 3). Prophylactic, temporary IVCFs placed under intravascular ultrasound guidance at the bedside in patients with multiple trauma is simple, safe, and an effective bridge to anticoagulation therapy.     

Large uterine fibroids causing mechanical obstruction of the inferior vena cava and subsequent thrombosis: a case report.

A 35-year-old woman presented with severe left leg swelling and pain after a spontaneous abortion of a 20-week fetus. Duplex ultrasound imaging confirmed venous thrombosis of the left iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral, deep femoral, greater saphenous, posterior tibial, and popliteal, peroneal, and soleal veins. A computed tomography scan showed large uterine fibroids that were completely compressing the distal inferior vena cava and both ureters, with associated hydronephrosis. A magnetic resonance venography showed the inferior vena cava proximal to the mechanical obstruction was free of thrombosis but was dilated at 27 mm in the suprarenal location. A hysterectomy was performed and an 8-pound uterus was removed. Intraoperative ultrasound of the inferior vena cava showed a patent crescent shaped vein with no thrombus and adequate venous blood flow. Pathology of the uterus showed a large leiomyoma with necrosis. Her lower extremity symptoms resolved.     

床旁超声在股骨颈骨折患者围手术期下肢深静脉血栓筛查中的作用

目的探讨床旁超声在老年股骨颈骨折患者血栓筛查的应用价值。 方法回顾性收集2016年1月至2017年3月南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院运动医学与成人重建外科收治的股骨颈骨折患者,术前常规用床旁超声行双下肢深静脉检查,观察血管内径、血栓部位、血栓回声以及血流情况。所有术前血栓患者于术后行常规随访观察。 结果共纳入135例患者,男性45例,女性90例;平均年龄（76±8）岁,平均身体质量指数为（22±3）kg/m²。术前共发现血栓45例,其中近端血栓7例,远端血栓38例。根据血栓累及部位,其中累及髂静脉1例,股静脉4例,腘静脉4例,腓静脉5例,胫后静脉3例,肌间静脉血栓40例。13例血栓患者暂停手术并接受治疗,治疗期间彩超隔日观察血栓溶解情况,其中经治疗好转10例,血栓无变化2例,加重1例,2例在术前置入下腔静脉滤器。术后彩超观察中,3例术前血栓患者在术后观察中发现进展至其他静脉,均及时接受抗凝治疗并通过床旁彩超随访,未见有血栓脱落以及肺栓塞形成。 结论床旁超声可用于股骨颈骨折患者血栓的诊断、监测及随访。     

Pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis for proximal deep vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis to treat proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in conjunction with the placement of a non-permanent IVC filter. METHODS: We studied 31 consecutive patients with acute proximal DVT defined as the inferior vena cava (IVC), iliac vein and/or femoral vein, who were diagnosed using duplex ultrasonography and/or contrast venography. All were treated with pulse-spray urokinase. Early success was assessed by comparing the pre- and post-treatment venographic severity score. Non-permanent IVC filters were used to reduce the risk of pulmonary thromboembolism. RESULTS: The average total urokinase dose was 1.71 million IU (range: 0.72-3.6 million IU) and the average duration of therapy was 2.4 days. The average percentage of thrombus lysed was 85% (range: 22-100%). A large thrombus trapped by the filter was detected using cavography before extraction of the filter in one patient. There was no major treatment-related adverse event. CONCLUSION: The combination of pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis and the prophylactic use of a non-permanent IVC filter was a safe and effective approach for treating acute proximal DVT.     

Intermittent pneumatic compression of the foot and calf improves the outcome of catheter-directed thrombolysis using low-dose urokinase in patients with acute proximal venous thrombosis of the leg

OBJECTIVE: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is a promising treatment of acute proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to prevent the postthrombotic syndrome by early removal of thrombus. During CDT for DVT patients, the calf muscle pump is compromised because of immobility. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) can be used to increase venous flow during bed rest. The CDT with IPC may lyse venous thrombus better than CDT alone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of IPC during CDT for DVT using low-dose urokinase. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with proximal DVT confirmed by duplex ultrasonography underwent CDT alone (10 cases) and CDT with IPC and a temporary inferior vena cava filter (14 cases) for 3 to 6 days. Pulmonary emboli (PEs) were assessed by pretreatment and posttreatment pulmonary angiogram or spiral computed tomography of the chest, and in the CDT/IPC patients, a posttreatment inferior vena cavogram was performed. The initial results were evaluated by venogram immediately after CDT, and the late results were evaluated by venous disability score and duplex ultrasonography 6 to 36 months after treatment. RESULTS: There was no symptomatic PE in either group. In CDT with IPC, one new asymptomatic PE was found, but there was no large thrombus in the inferior vena cava. The initial thrombolytic results of CDT with IPC were better than those of CDT alone (five cases of complete lysis in the CDT/IPC group and none in the CDT alone group). In the follow-up, the deep veins were patent and competent in 43% (6/14) in the CDT/IPC group, compared with 17% (1/6) in the CDT-alone group. The venous disability score showed that the CDT/IPC group had less disability than the CDT-alone group. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed that adding IPC to CDT using low-dose urokinase for DVT treatment of the leg resulted in better early and late outcomes compared with CDT alone and was not associated with an increased risk of symptomatic PEs.     

Pulmonary embolism after endovenous thermal ablation of the saphenous vein

Pulmonary embolism (PE) after venous procedures is fortunately rare. Our goal was to analyze the data of patients who developed PE after endovenous thermal ablation and phlebectomy for varicose veins and to review the literature on this subject. We report on three patients who developed PE after radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein and mini phlebectomy for symptomatic primary lower-extremity varicose veins. Early postoperative duplex scans confirmed successful closure of the great saphenous vein in all. One patient presented with chest pain and dyspnea, one with blood-tinged sputum, and the third with symptoms of saphenous thrombophlebitis. Two patients had PE from the saphenous vein thrombus and the third had gastrocnemius vein thrombosis extending into the popliteal vein. One had previous deep vein thrombosis. Computed tomography of the chest confirmed PE in all. Two patients were treated with anticoagulation, but the third patient with small PE declined such treatment. One patient underwent temporary inferior vena cava filter placement because of recurrent PE. In conclusion, PE is very rare but it can occur after endovenous thermal ablation of lower-extremity varicose veins. Selective thrombosis prophylaxis and preoperative counseling of the patients about signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis and PE are warranted for early recognition and rapid treatment.     

Management of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism on a neurosurgical service

The authors present a retrospective analysis of the management of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in neurosurgical patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital from January, 1978, through June, 1982. There were 44 cases of DVT and 13 cases of PE. Management modalities included observation only, femoral vein ligation, inferior vena cava clipping, transvenous placement of an inferior vena cava filter or umbrella, and anticoagulation therapy. Six (75%) of eight patients with symptomatic DVT who were managed by observation alone had subsequent pulmonary emboli, and three (38%) died. Femoral vein ligation was followed by PE in one of four cases and led to significant leg swelling in two others. Neither observation alone nor femoral vein ligation can be recommended as routine management options. Partial inferior vena cava interruption with a De Weese clip, Kim-Ray Greenfield filter, or Mobin-Uddin umbrella all successfully prevented pulmonary emboli. The major problem associated with these methods was leg edema, which occurred in 47% of patients with clip placement, 25% with filter placement, and 21% with a Mobin-Uddin umbrella. Anticoagulation therapy was associated with a complication rate of 29% and a mortality rate of 15%. Fatal PE and paradoxical hypercoagulability with gangrene of a lower extremity were the causes of death. In one patient, hemorrhage into a glioblastoma occurred following discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy when the coagulation parameters were normal. The authors conclude that: 1) management with observation alone of patients with symptomatic DVT places the patient at risk for the development of life-threatening pulmonary emboli; 2) the safety and timing of therapeutic anticoagulation in postoperative neurosurgical patients or patients with tumors is unclear; and 3) partial interruption of the inferior vena cava with a transvenous filter successfully prevents PE and may represent a safer alternative to anticoagulation therapy.     

Extension of saphenous thrombus into the femoral vein: a potential complication of new endovenous ablation techniques

Endovenous techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser therapy (ELT) have emerged as percutaneous minimally invasive procedures for ablation of incompetent great saphenous veins in patients with varicosity and venous insufficiency. Early reports showed safety and efficacy of both techniques, with excellent technical success rates and few major complications, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. During our initial experience with ELT in 56 limbs of 41 patients, 39 underwent postoperative duplex scanning. We encountered three cases (7.7%) with thrombus extension into the common femoral vein. All three patients were anticoagulated, and a temporary inferior vena cava filter was placed in one. All remained asymptomatic. The thrombus resolved by 1 month in all three patients. Review of the literature revealed that the incidence of thrombus extension into the common femoral vein or deep vein thrombosis in published clinical series is 0.3% after ELT and 2.1% after RFA. This possibility warrants routine postoperative duplex scanning, more alertness during these procedures, and patient education on this possible complication.     

髂股静脉狭窄伴血栓形成介入治疗53例临床分析

目的探讨髂股静脉狭窄伴下肢深静脉血栓形成 (deepvenousthrombosis,DVT)介入治疗的临床疗效。方法将 5 3例髂股静脉狭窄伴DVT随机分为 5组。A组 :11例 ,置入下腔静脉滤器后采用血栓消融器 (AmplatzThrombectomyDevice,ATD)浸软溶栓或流变溶栓导管 (OASIS)溶栓加静脉药物溶栓 ;B组 :9例 ,置入下腔静脉滤器后用导引导管抽吸血栓加静脉药物溶栓 ;C组 :13例 ,单纯经股动脉药物溶栓 ;D组 :8例 ,单纯经静脉药物溶栓 ;E组 :12例 ,单纯经足背静脉药物溶栓。其中 17例髂股静脉狭窄采用球囊扩张或置入支架治疗。结果 5 3例中治愈 2 6例 (49 0 % ) ,显效 2 1例 (39 6 % ) ,改善 3例 (5 7% ) ,无效 3例 (5 7% )。 17例髂股静脉狭窄术后造影示复通率80 %以上。溶栓过程中出现并发症 3例 (5 7% ) ,经处理后均恢复正常。结论髂股静脉狭窄伴DVT采用机械除栓及导管药物溶栓结合腔内血管成形治疗疗效直接肯定 ,安全性高 ,下腔静脉滤器可有效地预防致死性肺动脉栓塞。     

Aspirex机械清栓治疗创伤后急性下肢深静脉血栓形成的临床疗效

背景与目的 下肢深静脉血栓形成（DVT）行早期血栓清除减容可恢复静脉通畅及缓解症状,目前AngioJet是国内最常用的静脉血栓清除系统,而Aspirex应用较少,本研究探讨Aspirex机械血栓清除治疗在创伤后急性DVT患者中的疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2016年5月—2020年8月在北京积水潭医院血管外科收治的54例创伤后急性DVT患者的病例资料。所有患者行下腔静脉可回收滤器置入术,其中有Dneali 35例（64.8%）、Celect 3例（5.6%）、Cordis 14例（25.9%）、Octoparms及临时滤器（贝朗）各1例（1.9%）。患者创伤经手术及固定治疗后均行彩超检查或造影明确为髂股静脉及下腔静脉血栓形成。其中,22例（40.7%）为髂股静脉血栓、4例（7.4%）为髂及下腔静脉血栓、11例（20.4%）为下腔静脉血栓、17例（31.5%）为股髂静脉及下腔静脉血栓。所有患者在局麻下行经腘静脉或股静途径Straub Aspirex机械血栓清除手术（PMT）,术中联合导管取栓（MAT）、导管接触性溶栓（CDT）、髂静脉球囊扩张及髂静脉支架置入术。统计技术成功率、即刻临床成功率（症状缓解率）、围手术期出血发生率及术后滤器取出率。术后随访1年,超声评价目标静脉通畅率及血栓后综合征（PTS）的发生率。结果 54例患者中,3例（5.6%）行单纯机械血栓清除手术,17例（31.5%）行血栓清除联合导管取栓术,3例（5.6%）行血栓清除联合置管溶栓术,18例（33.3%）行血栓清除联合导管取栓及置管溶栓术,12例（22.2%）行血栓清除联合导管取栓及髂静脉球囊扩张术,1例（1.9%）行血栓清除联合导管取栓及支架置入术。技术成功率及即刻临床成功率均为100%。12例（22.2%）血栓III级清除,33例（61.1%）为II级清除,9例（16.7%）为I级清除,血栓清除成功率为83.3%。围手术期1例（1.9%）出现脑出血,给予停止溶栓及抗凝,2周复查头颅CT见血肿吸收,无后遗症;2例（3.7%）出现鼻出血及穿刺点血肿,给予压迫后缓解,无症状性肺栓塞及死亡等发生。滤器留置时间为（61.4±84.8）d,51例（94.4%）患者尝试行滤器取出,所有患者均成功取出。术后无血栓复发,术后1年PTS的发生率为33.3%,目标静脉通畅率为75.9%。结论 对于创伤后急性髂股及下腔静脉DVT患者,应用Aspirex机械血栓清除疗效显著,较为安全可靠,与导管吸栓、CDT、髂静脉球囊扩张及支架置入结合应用可改善静脉通畅率。     

Prophylaxis and treatment of phlebothrombosis of deep veins of the lower extremities

Prophylactic measures carried out in 32,400 patients permitted to decrease significantly the rate of thrombosis of lower extremities deep veins (to 2.2%). Use of standard and low-molecular heparin led to a similar rate of thrombus formation (2.4 and 2.0%), but the number of hemorrhagic complications in use of the later decreased (3.8 and 0.6%, respectively). Among 902 inpatients with thrombosis, lesion of distal segment of the lower extremities venous bed was revealed in 25.5%, femoral-popliteal - in 43.3%, ileofemoral - in 31.2% patients. Floppy emboli-dangerous thromboses were diagnosed in 19.1% cases. Cava-filter was implanted when floppy thrombus was in proximal part of iliac vein or in infrarenal segment of inferior cava vein only. When embologenous thrombus was lower to inguinal fold thrombectomy was performed with subsequent plication of superficial femoral vein. 3 years after cava-filter implantation chronic venous insufficiency in both less of II degree was seen in 45.2% patients, III degree - in 24.1%, thrombosis of inferior cava vein - in 1.3% patients. In plication of superficial femoral vein chronic venous insufficiency of II degree was revealed in 9.2% patients, III degree - in 1.7 cases. It is recommended to perform thrombectomy with plication of superficial femoral vein when floppy thrombus is located in ileo-femoral segment to prevent pulmonary artery thromboembolism.     

Extent of thrombus evaluated in patients with recurrent and first deep vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective study was to document the extent of thrombus in patients with recurrent and first deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients and Methods: A total of 864 patients with DVT of the leg were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups: patients with recurrent DVT (n = 233) of the leg, and patients with first DVT of the leg (n = 631). In both groups the extent of the thrombus was evaluated by duplex scanning, contrast venography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Thrombus involving veins distal to the popliteal vein was classified as distal DVT, whereas involvement of the popliteal vein and proximal was classified as proximal DVT. RESULTS: We could demonstrate that involvement of proximal segments (CEAP anatomic classification 1-9) occurred significantly more often in patients with recurrent DVT than in patients with the first DVT (P <.001). The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and the clinical symptoms of PE were equally distributed between patients with recurrent DVT and those with first DVT (P >.05). Only one patient died as a consequence of PE in our patient sample. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, patients with recurrent DVT have a higher frequency of proximal DVT. Nevertheless, the incidence of PE is similar in patients with recurrent and those with first DVT.     

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??Current situation and trend of treatment of deep vein thrombosis LI Wen-dong??LI Xiao-qiang??XIAO Lun. Department of Vascular Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
Corresponding author: LI Xiao-qiang, E-mail??flytsg@126.com
Abstract Deep vein thrombosis ??DVT???? which can complicate with pulmonary embolism ??PE?? and develop into postthrombotic syndrome ??PTS???? is a troublesome problem in clinic. Thus?? the treatment of DVT mainly includes two aspects?? ??1??protection from symptomatic PE and sprawled thrombus????2??protection from PTS. Sufficient and effective anticoagulation is the fundamental treatment for acute DVT. New oral anticoagulation drugs facilitate the treatment of anticoagulation by avoiding monitor of coagulation function. But in some patients with contraindications for anticoagulation?? inferior vena cava filter is necessary for preventing fatal PE. Retrieval filter with a wide duration of withdrawal is attractive in clinic. Removing thrombi by embolectomy??catheter-directed thrombolysis and pharmacomechanical thrombolysis can facilitate to restore the blood flow. But the methods of removal thrombi tend to invasive and efficient. Patients with DVT are always complicated with iliac vein compression. Stenting to solve the obstructive iliac vein is necessary when thrombi are removed. Long-term anticoagulation for prevention of recurrent DVT is necessary for protecting from PTS. Compression including stocking compression and intermittent pneumatic compression contributes to reducing the symptoms of DVT.     

下腔静脉滤器预防肺栓塞及其并发症

目的探讨放置下腔静脉滤器在预防下肢深静脉血栓导致肺栓塞中的临床作用。方法74例下肢深静脉血栓形成患者(42例已经发生肺栓塞),为预防肺栓塞或再次肺栓塞而置入下腔静脉滤器,65例患者放置永久滤器,9例年轻患者放置可回收滤器。除8例有抗凝禁忌证患者外,其他患者行抗凝溶栓治疗。可回收滤器在放置后6~15天取出。随访观察有无滤器并发症、肺栓塞或复发肺栓塞出现。结果滤器均成功放置,患者未出现滤器错位、移位、倾斜、血栓脱落、滤器折断、腔静脉穿孔等并发症,随访期内未发现肺栓塞或复发肺栓塞,2例放置永久滤器的患者出现滤器血栓形成,1例放置可回收滤器的患者下腔静脉造影发现滤器血栓形成,其他8例可回收滤器取出后肉眼可见血栓,虽然造影没有发现。结论下腔静脉滤器作为预防肺栓塞的方法其效果值得肯定,但应该注意滤器血栓形成,在放置前选择合适的适应证。     

Retrievable inferior vena cava filters: early clinical experience

AIM: Multiple-trauma patients often have injuries that prevent the use of anticoagulant or sequential compression device prophylaxis. Temporary inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) offer protection against pulmonary embolism (PE) during the early, highest-risk perioperative and immediate injury period, while avoiding potential long-term sequelae of a permanent IVCF. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic, temporary IVCF placement at the intensive care unit (ICU) bedside under real-time intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in multiple-trauma patients. METHODS: One hundred and three multiple-trauma patients between July 1, 2002, and July 1, 2004, under-went placement of Günther-Tulip (n=38), Recovery (n=30) or OptEase (n=35) retrievable IVCFs under real-time IVUS guidance. The mean+/-SD injury severity score of the patients was 27.7 (+/-2.2). All patients had abdominal X-rays to verify filter location. Before IVCF retrieval, all patients underwent femoral vein color-flow ultrasonography to rule out deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pre and postprocedure vena-cavography for possible IVCF thrombus entrapment and postretrieval IVC injury. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients died of their injuries; no deaths were related to IVCF placement. One PE occurred during follow-up after filter retrieval, and 2 insertion site femoral vein DVT occurred. As verified by abdominal X-rays, 97.1% (100/103) of IVCFs were placed without complications at the L2-3 level. Filter-related complications included 3 groin hematomas (2.9%) and 3 IVCFs misplaced in the right iliac vein early in our experience; these filters were uneventfully retrieved and replaced in the IVC within 24 h. Forty-four patients underwent uneventful retrieval of IVCFs after DVT or PE anticoagulation prophylaxis was initiated. Thirty-five filters were not removed, including 32 because severity of injury prevented DVT or PE prophylaxis and 3 because of thrombus trapped with the filter. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic, temporary IVCFs placed at the ICU bedside under IVUS guidance in multiple-trauma patients serves as an effective bridge to anticoagulation until venous thromboembolism prophylaxis can be initiated. Further investigation of this bedside technique and the role of temporary IVCFs in these patients is warranted.     

Thrombosis in unusual sites of the lower extremity veins

BACKGROUND: Thrombosis in unusual locations in the lower extremity veins has not been assessed. These veins are not imaged routinely and therefore information about them is lacking. METHODS: This study was designed to evaluate the natural history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in unusual sites. Patients with DVT in all thigh veins but the femoral vein were included. Patients with thrombi in any other vein in the first examination and those with history of DVT were excluded. Duplex ultrasound (DU) examination was performed to exclude thrombosis in the lower extremity in patients with signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolism and also in high-risk, asymptomatic patients. All veins from the distal external iliac vein to the lower calf were imaged. The deep femoral, femoropopliteal, lateral thigh, sciatic, and muscular thigh veins were examined. These patients were followed at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and yearly thereafter, for thrombus propagation, resolution, and reflux. RESULTS: Among the 15,850 DU performed in the vascular laboratory at Loyola University Medical Center, in a 10-year period to rule out DVT, 2568 (16.2%) were positive and 14 cases (7 males, 0.54% among the patients with DVT and 0.088% among the entire population) involved thromboses in unusual locations. Ten cases involved the left lower extremity and four the right. The unusual DVT cases were associated with medical and surgical conditions or were idiopathic in 11 patients, whereas three had Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS). The veins involved in the first group of patients were the deep femoral (8), the femoropopliteal (2), and the deep external pudendal (1). The patients with KTS had involvement of muscular thigh veins (1), and the lateral thigh vein and the sciatic vein (2). Thrombi propagation with extension to the common femoral vein was seen in four of the 14 patients: two from the deep femoral vein, one from the femoropopliteal vein, and one from the deep external pudendal vein. There were two incidences of pulmonary embolism (PE) one of which was fatal. At final follow-up, two patients developed recurrent DVT and nine had signs and symptoms of chronic venous disease. CONCLUSIONS: The involvement of the studied veins in DVT is extremely rare. Thrombosis in these veins can follow the natural course of thrombosis in the more usual locations and is associated with lethal incidences of PE. Therefore, the association of these veins with all the grave sequelae of thromboembolic disease suggests that inclusion of these veins in routine lower extremity duplex scans would be beneficial.