下腔静脉滤器植入后导管接触性溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成的临床研究

目的探讨下腔静脉滤器置入后,经皮下肢深静脉置管局部溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成的可行性及疗效。方法42例下肢深静脉血栓形成患者,分为两组,介入治疗组15例,对照组27例。介入治疗组的15例患者行下腔静脉滤器植入术,经溶栓导管泵入大剂量尿激酶溶栓;对照组30例患者经足背静脉泵入尿激酶。结果介入治疗组血栓完全消失8例（53.33%）,部分消失7例（46.67%）,无明显好转0例（0%）,治疗全过程所有患者均未出现肺动脉栓塞症状及出血现象;对照组血栓完全消失2例（7%）,部分消失25例（83.33%）,无明显好转3例（10%）。结论下腔静脉滤器置入后,患肢深静脉置管大剂量尿激酶溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成安全、疗效显著。     

经腘静脉插管定向溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成的临床研究

目的评价腘静脉插管定向溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓的疗效。方法 62例下肢深静脉血栓患者,行患肢腘静脉穿刺插管,在可视条件下将导管插入至血栓近心端,经导管首次推注尿激酶20万单位后,持续注射尿激酶10万单位／h溶栓,同时每12 h皮下注射低分子肝素钠400 U。以下肢肿胀消退情况评价疗效,以深静脉造影评价溶栓效果。结果经导管溶栓治疗不仅使深静脉血栓部分或完全消融,而且侧支循环开放较治疗前显著增加。患肢总消肿率(78±22)％,总溶栓率(67± 27)％,其中急性、急慢性和慢性病例溶栓率分别为75％、71％,49％,前两者显著高于后者(P< 0．05)。21例患者血栓完全消融,无严重并发症发生。结论 腘静脉插管定向溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成能够快速溶解血栓,恢复深静脉血流通畅,患者临床症状改善效果满意,治疗方案安全可靠。     

Iliofemoral venous thrombosis

Iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is associated with serious short- and long-term physical, social, and economic sequelae for patients. Most physicians treat patients with acute iliofemoral DVT in the same manner as they treat all acute DVT patients: with anticoagulation alone. Yet a growing body of evidence suggests that, in this subset of DVT patients, a treatment strategy that includes thrombus removal plus optimal anticoagulation significantly improves outcomes. This article reviews the evidence supporting this strategy and discusses current and promising techniques of thrombus removal, including contemporary venous thrombectomy, intrathrombus catheter-directed thrombolysis, and pharmacomechanical thrombolysis.     

下腔静脉滤器置放术在深静脉血栓-肺栓塞演变中的临床应用

目的探讨下腔静脉滤器(IVCF)在预防深静脉血栓(DVT)-肺栓塞(PE)演变中的临床应用价值。方法经造影和(或)彩色多普勒超声证实为下肢深静脉广泛血栓30例,其中有肺部临床表现21例,胸部影像学证实19例,DSA显示下腔静脉内血栓6例。溶栓介入治疗前置放IVCF 30例,下腔静脉内血栓形成未放IVCF 1例。置放IVCF后经患肢足背静脉滴注尿激酶或经导管血栓内抽吸、局部溶栓、导丝搅拌增加溶栓接触面积;经非患肢静脉给予抗凝、抗生素治疗。结果本组30例放置5种构型滤器32枚,其中2枚为临时滤器,置入取出均顺利,滤器无移位,术中无并发症。痊愈9例,有效14例,改善6例,无效1例。因没有及时置入IVCF进行溶栓治疗,深静脉血栓导致下腔静脉血栓6例,后置入IVCF 5例疗效良好,未放IVCF 1例,12天后因肺栓塞死亡。结论下腔静脉滤器对预防深静脉血栓向肺栓塞演变具有一定价值,其置放术安全可靠,便于临床及时溶栓抗凝治疗,但其应用价值需进行综合评价和进一步探讨。     

Evaluation of thrombolysis in a porcine model of chronic deep venous thrombosis: an endovascular model

PURPOSE: The advancement of catheter-based interventions for vascular recanalization has underscored the need for an experimental animal model of vascular thrombosis that can be used for the evaluation of interventional therapies. In this model, a porcine model of deep venous thrombosis with a novel endovascular technique was described, and the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy with urokinase was evaluated. METHODS: An endovascular device that consisted of a tapered polytetrafluoroethylene graft attached within a self-expanding nitinol stent was delivered to bilateral common iliac veins in 20 pigs. Venous thrombosis occurred as a result of flow stasis created by the intrastent stenosis. Catheter-directed pulse-spray thrombolysis with urokinase (250,000 units) and heparin (5000 IU) was performed on one limb while the contralateral limb received control saline solution. Thrombolysis was performed in 1 hour (n = 4), 8 hours (n = 4), 3 days (n = 4), 7 days (n = 4), and 14 days (n = 4) after the stent-graft deployment. Venography and intravascular ultrasound were used to evaluate the efficacy of thrombolysis. Light microscopy was used for histologic analysis of the thrombus. RESULTS: Complete thrombolysis was achieved in groups with deep vein thrombosis that were younger than 1 day. Angioplasty of the tapered stent-grafts in the completely thrombolysed iliac vein was successful in restoring venous flow. The efficacy of thrombolysis in 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day groups was 86% +/- 7%, 73% +/- 13%, and 42% +/- 23%, respectively. The thrombolytic efficacy was enhanced to 92% +/- 16% and 86% +/- 18% (P <.05) in 3-day and 7-day groups, respectively, when doses of the pulse-spray thrombolysis were doubled. Increased dosages of the thrombolytic agent, however, did not significantly enhance the thrombus dissolution in the 14-day group. CONCLUSION: The thrombolytic efficacy of urokinase correlated with the chronicity of deep venous thrombosis in our model. An increased dose of urokinase may be used to enhance the efficacy of thrombolysis in a 1-week-old thrombus.     

Treatment of acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis: a strategy of thrombus removal.

Patients with acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) suffer the most severe postthrombotic sequelae. The majority of physicians treat all patients with acute DVT with anticoagulation alone, despite evidence that postthrombotic chronic venous insufficiency, leg ulceration, and venous claudication are common in patients treated only with anticoagulation. The body of evidence to date in patients with iliofemoral DVT suggests that a strategy of thrombus removal offers these patients the best long-term outcome. Unfortunately, currently published guidelines use outdated experiences to recommend against the use of techniques designed to remove thrombus, ignoring recent clinical studies showing significant benefit in patients who have thrombus eliminated. Contemporary venous thrombectomy, intrathrombus catheter-directed thrombolysis, and pharmacomechanical thrombolysis are all options that can be offered to successfully remove venous thrombus with increasing safety. The authors review evidence supporting the rationale for thrombus removal and discuss the most effective approaches for treating patients with acute iliofemoral DVT.     

Utility of retrievable vena cava filters and mechanical thrombectomy in the endovascular management of acute deep venous thrombosis

Endovascular interventions of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) using various therapeutic modalities, such as thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, and inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, have received increased focus owing in part to advances in catheter-based interventional technologies. Although systemic anticoagulation remains the primary treatment modality in DVT, catheter-based interventions can provide rapid removal of large thrombus burden and possibly preserve venous valvular function in patients with symptomatic DVT. This article reviews current endovascular treatment strategies for acute DVT. Specifically, the utility of mechanical thrombectomy along with various temporary IVC filters in the setting of DVT is examined. Lastly, an illustrative case of acute DVT that was treated with endovascular intervention with IVC filter placement is presented.     

Total preservation of patency and valve function after percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombolysis using the Trellis®-8 system for an acute, extensive deep venous thrombosis

Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis is being used increasingly for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and aims to reduce the severity of post-thrombotic syndrome. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with extensive lower limb DVT that was treated using pharmacomechanical thrombolysis leading to complete recovery of her deep venous system. The prompt use of pharmacomechanical thrombolysis for the acute management of extensive DVT should be considered when treating patients with extensive DVT in order to facilitate return of normal function.     

下腔静脉滤器在急性下肢深静脉血栓形成导管溶栓治疗中的必要性探讨

目的 探讨急性下肢深静脉血栓形成(deep venous thrombosis,DVT)患者行导管溶栓治疗(catheter direct thrombolysis,CDT)时,置入下腔静脉滤器的必要性.方法 回顾性总结2006年11月至2008年12月在仁济医院(东院)血管外科,经CDT及后续腔内治疗的急性下肢DVT患者临床资料.全组93例(93侧肢体),其中男35例,女58例;左下肢80例,右下肢13例;年龄28～88岁,平均60±29岁.病程5 h至15 d,平均(6.28±7.08)d.结果 93例患者中,置入滤器者30例,未置滤器者63例(67.7%,63/93).左下肢DVT未置滤器者占93.6%(59/63).溶栓后复查数字减影造影(digital subtraction angiography,DSA),77例髂-股静脉血栓完全溶解,其中70例于患肢髂静脉检出狭窄或闭塞性病变,57例接受了后续腔内治疗.全组未发生症状性肺栓塞(pulmonary embolism,PE).术后肺CTA检查:3例PE,均为置入下腔静脉滤器者;1例可疑PE,系未置入滤器者.结论 对于左下肢DVT且血栓未累及下腔静脉者,行CDT治疗时不必常规置入腔静脉滤器.     

Long-term outcomes of catheter directed thrombolysis for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis without prophylactic inferior vena cava filter placement

BACKGROUND: While the predominant treatment of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) remains systemic anticoagulation, there is a growing consensus that more aggressive percutaneous catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) carries both short-term and long-term benefits. There remains controversy as to whether an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is always required during CDT. OBJECTIVE: To define the short- and long-term outcomes of CDT with and without prophylactic IVC filter placement for lower extremity DVT. METHODS: A database of patients treated by CDT from 1996 to 2006 was compiled. Results were standardized to current Society for Vascular Surgery criteria. Average follow-up was 2.1 years, range of 1-8 years. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed to assess time-dependent outcomes. Factor analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazard model for time dependent variables. Data are presented as mean +/- SD where appropriate. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (39% male, average age 48 +/- 17 years) underwent CDT: (27 received pharmacological thrombolysis, 12 received mechanical thrombolysis, and 30 received mechanical and pharmacological thrombolysis). Fourteen patients (20%) had IVC filter placement prior to or during CDT. Twenty-one had a hypercoagulable state. Technical success with grade III lysis of clot burden was achieved in 63%. Fifty-one patients required an adjuvant stent. Overall, 90-day all-cause mortality was 4% and peri-procedural morbidity was 4%. No patients developed a pulmonary embolus (PE) during therapy. By Kaplan-Meier analysis 83%, 83%, and 75% of patients were free of recurrent DVT at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Hypercoagulability was associated with DVT recurrence by Cox proportional hazards analysis. No analyzed factor was predictive of PE. CONCLUSION: Catheter directed thrombolysis without universal prophylactic IVC filter placement is safe and effective in treating acute DVT. Pulmonary embolization did not occur during CDT. Selective rather than routine IVC filter placement is a safe and appropriate approach.     

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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.     

OptEase可回收型滤器在DVT介入治疗中的应用

目的评价Optease可回收型滤器防止肺栓塞作用及其安全性、可回收性。方法42例下肢深静脉血栓患者(合并肺栓塞17例),男25例,女17例,年龄22~60岁(平均44岁)。40例经股静脉路径置入Optease滤器于肾下水平下腔静脉,2例因血栓累及下腔静脉近肾静脉开口,经右颈静脉路径置入到肾静脉以上段下腔静脉。置入后,行下肢静脉及肺动脉导管溶栓治疗。术后6例患者取出滤器。结果Optease滤器释放时均无明显前跳和回缩现象发生,定位良好。介入治疗及造影复查过程中,滤器均无移位。患者均无肺动脉栓塞症状加重及新的肺动脉栓塞发生。6例下肢静脉血栓完全消失及年龄较轻患者(22~40岁),于滤器置入后7~12天内,经股静脉路径,采用Gooseneck捕捉器将滤器取出。回收的滤器均完整,无血栓附着。结论Optease可回收型滤器可有效地防止肺栓塞的发生;Optease滤器置入安全、定位准确,可经股静脉路径完好地进行回收。     

Clinical outcome and complications of temporary inferior vena cava filter placement

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the current clinical experience of temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement and its related complications. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2005, we enrolled 33 patients (8 men and 25 women) who underwent percutaneous insertion of a temporary IVC filter in the Department of Vascular Surgery of Tokyo University Hospital. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was proven in 78.8% of the patients. The indications for filter insertion were contraindication to anticoagulation therapy (9.1%), thrombolytic therapy (12.1%), perioperative prophylactic implantation (84.8%), pregnancy with DVT (3.0%), and prophylactic implantation in the absence of DVT (15.2%). A Neuhaus Protect was used in 13 patients, and an Antheor was used in 20 patients. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD duration of filter placement was 10.6 +/- 7.0 days. There was no case of pulmonary embolism during filter protection and retraction. Filter thrombosis (capture of thrombus) was observed in four patients (12.1%), who then received additional thrombolytic therapy. Thrombi were dissolved by thrombolysis in three, one of whom had replacement with a permanent filter. The thrombus was not dissolved in one patient and was removed under venotomy at the insertion site. Major filter-related complications occurred in nine patients (27.3%), including filter dislocation in four patients (12.1%), catheter fracture in three (9.1%), and catheter-related infection in one (3.0%). In a patient with giant ovarian cancer, the IVC was nearly occluded with massive thrombus around the filter 2 days after operation, and the vena cava was then ligated under open laparotomy. No patients died during filter protection and retraction. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary IVC filters were effective for the prevention of fatal pulmonary embolism. However, our experience of a high incidence of complications related to temporary filters suggests that this device has limited indications and supports the need for innovative design of temporary filters.     

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.     

下腔静脉滤器植入、溶栓、手术治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成

目的：探讨下肢深静脉血栓形成（DVT）的有效治疗方法。方法 ：回顾性分析近9年来治疗的211例下肢DVT的临床资料。直接患肢深静脉溶栓179例，其中下腔静脉滤器植入29例（临时性滤器5例，永久性滤器24例）；下腔静脉滤器植入并手术（取栓、球囊扩张、支架植入、髂静脉成型）32例，其中植入临时性滤器6例，永久性滤器26例。结果： 146例（68.7%）随访3~108个月，平均54个月。61只下腔静脉滤器均展开良好，有1例临时滤器移位至下腔静脉近心端，其他无移位。临时滤器体内置放2~4周取出。1例永久性滤器植入14个月后滤器中血栓形成。溶栓组显效87例，有效86例，无效6例。手术组显效28例，有效3例，无效1例。手术组显效率显著高于溶栓组（P<0.05），但总有效率差别无显著性（P>0.05）。结论：下腔静脉滤器植入能有效预防肺动脉栓塞，但应严格掌握适应证。手术综合治疗是提高疗效和预防下肢DVT后遗症的有效方法。     

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目的探讨应用导管接触溶栓治疗急性动脉闭塞性疾病的临床效果。方法回顾性分析2004年8月至2006年4月间中国人民解放军总医院应用导管接触溶栓治疗急性动脉闭塞性疾病8例临床资料。持续导管接触溶栓治疗后均行腔内球囊扩张成型或支架置入治疗。结果8例8条肢体均在局部麻醉经皮穿刺下完成,导丝均能通过闭塞段,并通过脉冲喷射技术给予50万单位尿激酶,使闭塞段通溶开一条缝隙。后续治疗中持续泵入尿激酶(50万~100万单位)18~40h后,造影复查有7例获得较满意的溶栓效果,并对考虑为引起闭塞的中重度狭窄病变处给予相应的处理(单纯球囊扩张3例次,合并支架治疗4例)。2例发生血栓移位堵塞远处血管,1例腔内治疗好转,另1例行胫后动脉切开取栓合并自体大隐静脉补片手术。8条肢体造影均可见病变血管恢复通畅,术后原症状均有不同程度的改善。无截肢(趾),无穿刺部位假性动脉瘤及血肿,无死亡、无溶栓相关的严重出血并发症等。结论溶栓治疗可以恢复缺血肢体的血流,与传统外科手术相比,溶栓治疗可有效恢复侧支循环的血流。在有必要进行外科手术重建血运时,溶栓治疗通常可以缩小手术的范围;并将急诊手术转化为择期手术。但是要注意溶栓治疗时血栓移位形成远端动脉栓塞的发生及处理。     

临时性下腔静脉滤器预防肺动脉栓塞临床研究

目的 观察临时性下腔静脉滤器在预防肺动脉栓塞(PE)中的安全性和有效性.方法 112例经多谱勒超声证实存在下肢深静脉血栓形成(DVT)患者,给置入TempofilterⅡ临时性下腔静脉滤器,分析其使用的安全性及预防PE中的作用.结果 112例植入TempofilterⅡ临时性下腔静脉滤器的患者1例出现滤器脱出,54(48.2%)例发现滤器上拦截到血栓,在滤器置人期间没有发生PE.结论 Tempofilter Ⅱ下腔静脉滤器的置人能有效拦截缸栓,防止PE发乍.     

经股腘静脉抽吸治疗下肢深静脉继发下腔静脉血栓

目的探讨经股静脉入路放置滤器治疗继发于下肢深静脉血栓(DVT)的下腔静脉血栓的可行性及安全性,评价滤器保护下血栓抽吸术的有效性。方法收集109例下肢DVT患者,其中11例血栓累及下腔静脉。于路径图引导下经健侧股静脉入路放置Aegisy滤器,打开但不解脱;再次穿刺股静脉,以8F指引导管抽吸下腔静脉内血栓;若血栓脱落于滤器内,尽量取出滤器内血栓后收回滤器,清洗后重新放置。经腘静脉入路抽吸髂股静脉内血栓,应用球囊或支架治疗髂静脉病变。14天内取出滤器。结果对11例DVT合并下腔静脉血栓者均成功取出髂股静脉及下腔静脉内血栓,8例术中发生血栓脱落;置入髂静脉支架5例,球囊扩张6例;8例取出滤器,3例永久植入滤器。随访6~35个月,下腔静脉及支架通畅,患者无活动后酸沉、肿胀,无色素沉着、静脉曲张等。结论经股静脉放置滤器治疗DVT合并下腔静脉血栓安全可行;在滤器保护下应用血栓抽吸术经股腘静脉入路治疗血栓快速、有效。     

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??Catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute lower limb deep venous thrombosis HUANG Xiao-zhong, LIANG Wei??XUE Guan-hua, et al. Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Affiliated Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medical??Shanghai200001??China
Corresponding author?? ZANG Ji-wei??E-mail??zhangjiwei001@sina.com
Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of catheter-directed thrombolysis in treatment of acute lower limb deep venous thrombosis(DVT). Method 217 patients with lower limb acute DVT underwent treatment by cathter-directed thrombolysis with urokinase (261.26±95.35)×104IU continues infusion immediately. The venous patency score and the rate of patency were measured before and after lysis, improvement were observed by venograms. some patients were followed. Results After lysis, the venous patency score was significant difference (P<0.01). The mean rate of venous patency improvent was ??62.24±15.47??%. 153 patients were followed 6~28 monthes, average ??13.75±7.63 ??monthes. The mean score of venous patency was also significant difference (P<0.01), the mean rate of venous patency improve to ??68.37±17.54??%. The valve function preserved in 126 patients(82.35%). Conclusion This initial experience suggest that catheter -directed thrombolysis with urokinase for treatment of acute lower limb DVT is safe and effective.     

Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy for treatment of symptomatic lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: safety and feasibility study

PURPOSE: The current standard of care for deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) is anticoagulation; however, this treatment method does not rapidly relieve clot burden or clinical symptoms. We describe a rapid and effective method of thrombus removal, with simultaneous percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) and thrombolysis. METHODS: Over 26 months 20 patients (22 men, 2 women; mean age, 52 +/- 6 years [range, 38-79 years]) with extensive lower extremity DVT were treated with PMT with the AngioJet thrombectomy device in combination with lytic agent (urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator, or reteplase) added to the infusion. Three patients underwent treatment twice, because of recurrent DVT. The primary end point was angiographic evidence of restoration of venous patency at completion of the procedure. Complications, recurrent ipsilateral DVT, and improvement in clinical symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS: Complete thrombus removal was obtained in 15 procedures (65%), and partial resolution in the remaining 8 procedures (35%). Inciting occlusive lesions responsible for acute DVT were revealed in 14 patients (61%), and angioplasty with or without stenting was performed when necessary. In the 8 procedures with partial resolution additional catheter-directed thrombolysis was carried out on average for 5.7 hours, with further thrombus reduction. Overall, immediate (<24 hours) improvement in clinical symptoms was noted in 17 patients (74%). There were no complications related to either PMT or the short duration of lytic agent infusion. At average follow-up of 10.2 +/- 0.3 months (range, 3-26 months), 3 patients had recurrent ipsilateral DVT, and underwent repeat treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of lytic agent to PMT facilitates thrombus extraction, decreases overall interventional treatment time, and improves patient outcomes. In addition, definitive management of underlying anatomic lesions can be performed in the same setting. Further outcome measures are necessary to study the long-term efficacy of this treatment method on preservation of valve function, reduction of chronic venous insufficiency, and improved quality of life.