Long-term integrity of 53 iliac vein stents after catheter-directed thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Long-term surveillance data on venous stent integrity is sparse. There is limited knowledge on whether duplex ultrasound (DUS) can detect potential stent deformities such as kinking, straightening, and fracture, which may impact long-term patency of the stented veins. PURPOSE: To assess venous stent integrity after at least five years of follow-up and to establish the efficacy of DUS as surveillance in patients with venous stent. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 45 patients with acute iliac-femoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treated with catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and stenting >5 years before follow-up. Stents were evaluated with 3D volume low dose non-contrast computed tomography (CT) and DUS for kinking, straightening, stent fracture, and patency. Results from CT scans and DUS were compared to assess the overall agreement between the methods. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 13.2 years (mean = 11.2 years; range = 5.2-15.8 years). 3D CT reconstructions showed normal stent configuration in 47 stents (89%). All intact stents were identified by DUS. In the remaining six stents, 3D CT reconstructions showed compression, tapering, kinking, and minor fracture. DUS recognized all stent complications except the minor fracture. Overall agreement between CT and DUS was 98% (kappa = 0.90). Two cases of stent occlusion were found. CONCLUSION: The long-term physical resilience of iliac vein stents evaluated with 3D CT in patients treated with CDT for iliofemoral DVT was high. Stent deformities were mostly compression, whereas fracture was rarely seen. DUS seems to be sufficient to evaluate venous stent integrity.

Significance of Partial or Complete Thrombosis of the Common and Deep Femoral Vein in Patients With Deep Vein Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the anatomical distribution of acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with a focus on iliofemoral DVT, and, in particular, to characterise thrombus in the common femoral vein (CFV) and the deep femoral vein (DFV). METHODS: A one year prospective study including patients older than 18 years of age with an acute first time DVT according to ultrasound examination at one of three university hospitals in Copenhagen, Denmark. Thrombus location and extent were registered and divided into five segments: calf veins; popliteal vein; femoral and deep femoral vein; common femoral vein; and iliac veins and/or the inferior vena cava. Thrombus appearance of the CFV and the DFV (partial or occlusive) was examined in detail. RESULTS: Acute DVTs were identified in 203 extremities in 200 patients (58% male). The median age of the patients was 68 years (range 19-92 years), and left-sided DVT was observed in 56%. Iliofemoral DVT was present in 54 (27.0%) patients. Thrombus involving the CFV but not the iliac veins (CFV group) was seen in 28 patients; the remaining 26 had involvement of the iliac veins (iliac group). Thrombus in the CFV was more likely to be occlusive in the iliac group than in the CFV group (77% vs. 4%; p < .001). Thrombus in the DFV was more often occlusive in the iliac group than in the CFV group (81% vs. 11%; p < .001). The DFV was free of thrombus in 12% of patients in the iliac group and in 64% of those in the CFV group. CONCLUSION: The presence of occlusive thrombus in the CFV and/or in the DFV pointed to a DVT also involving the ipsilateral iliac veins. Thrombosis of the deep leg veins extending into the CFV below the inguinal ligament was more likely to be partial in the CFV, mainly due to inflow from the DFV.

The background and role of catheter-directed thrombolysis evolving procedures for acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis.

Minimal invasive treatment such as early endovenous thrombus removal for iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) emerged in the end of last century. The principle is catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) using either plasminogen activating agents alone, as ultrasound-assisted CDT, or in combination with mechanical devices as pharmaco-mechanical CDT. The interest for this treatment modality is the high rate of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) with anticoagulation (AC) alone, especially after iliofemoral DVT. Recently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing early thrombus removal with AC alone, as well as non-randomized studies, have demonstrated favorable rates, or at least a decrease of moderate and severe PTS, in favor of these procedures. This article will summarize the background and evolution of the procedures in the last three decades and discuss fundamental criteria for inclusion and exclusion, focusing on the procedures regarding thrombus age and location, technical issues, complications and results including different outcome measures for PTS, for which iliac DVT involvement is a massive risk factor to be prevented.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Protocols for Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Lower Extremities-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize characteristics, complications, and success rates of different catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) protocols for the treatment of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LE-DVT). METHODS: A systematic review using electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) was performed to identify randomized controlled trials and observational studies related to LE-DVT treated with CDT. A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed to obtain the pooled proportions of early complications, postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), and venous patency. RESULTS: Forty-six studies met the inclusion criteria reporting 49 protocols (n = 3,028 participants). In studies that addressed the thrombus location (n = 37), LE-DVT had iliofemoral involvement in 90 ± 23% of the cases. Only four series described CDT as the sole intervention for LE-DVT, while 47% received additional thrombectomy (manual, surgical, aspiration, or pharmacomechanical), and 89% used stenting.Definition of venogram success was highly variable, being the Venous Registry Index the most used method (n = 19). Among those, the minimal thrombolysis rate (<50% lysed thrombus) was 0 to 53%, partial thrombolysis (50-90% lysis) was 10 to 71%, and complete thrombolysis (90-100%) was 0 to 88%. Pooled outcomes were 8.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.6-10.7) for minor bleeding, 1.2% (95% CI: 0.8-1.7%) for major bleeding, 1.1% (95% CI: 0.6-1.6) for pulmonary embolism, and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3-0.9) for death. Pooled incidences of PTS and of venous patency at up to 1 year of follow-up were 17.6% (95% CI: 11.8-23.4) and 77.5% (95% CI: 68.1-86.9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Assessment of the evidence is hampered by the heterogeneity of protocols, which may be reflected in the variation of PTS rates. Despite this, CDT is a low-risk treatment for LE-DVT.

Postthrombotic syndrome and quality of life in patients with iliofemoral venous thrombosis treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a common complication after iliofemoral venous thrombosis, often resulting in poor quality of life (QOL) among the affected patients. This study assessed development of PTS and its effect on QOL among patients treated for iliofemoral venous thrombosis by catheter-directed thrombolysis. METHODS: Patients admitted with an iliofemoral venous thrombosis and treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis at Gentofte University Hospital from 1999 to 2008 were invited to participate. Duplex ultrasound imaging was used to assess venous patency and valve function. Each patient completed the generic Short-Form 36-item (SF-36) health survey assessment, producing physical component (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores, and the disease-specific Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study (VEINES)-Quality of Life (QOL)/Symptoms (Sym), questionnaires to assess QOL. PTS was assessed using the Villalta scale. RESULTS: The study included 109 patients. Median follow-up was 71 months. PTS developed in 18 patients (16.5%) and of those, initial thrombolysis was successful in 13. Patients with PTS had significantly worse mean ± standard deviation scores than patients without PTS on VEINES-QOL (34.2 ± 9.6 vs 53.1 ± 6.6; P < .0001), VEINES-Sym (34.0 ± 8.8 vs 53.2 ± 6.6; P < .0001), SF-36 MCS (44.2 ± 15.5 vs 52.3 ± 11.0; P = .005), and SF-36 PCS (42.3 ± 9.1 vs 53.5 ± 7.8; P < .0001) subscales. Patients with reflux or chronic occlusions, or both, had significantly lower mean ± SD scores than patients with patent veins without reflux on VEINES-QOL (43.5 ± 14.3 vs 51.0 ± 8.8; P = .044) and SF-36 PCS (47.2 ± 10.9 vs 52.4 ± 8.5; P = .049) scales. CONCLUSION: PTS was associated with worse QOL, although only a few patients developed PTS after catheter-directed thrombolysis of iliofemoral venous thrombosis. Patients with patent veins and sufficient valves have higher QOL scores than patients with reflux and occluded veins.

Acute iliofemoral venous thrombosis in patients with atresia of the inferior vena cava can be treated successfully with catheter-directed thrombolysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of catheter-directed thrombolysis in patients with atresia of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2009, 11 patients (median age, 32 y) with atresia of the IVC and acute iliofemoral DVT in 13 limbs were admitted for catheter-directed thrombolysis. Through a multiple-side hole catheter inserted in the popliteal vein, continuous pulse-spray infusion of tissue plasminogen activator and heparin was performed. Thrombolysis was terminated when all thrombus was resolved and venous outflow through the paravertebral collateral vessels was achieved. After thrombolysis, all patients received lifelong anticoagulation and compression stockings and were followed up at regular intervals. RESULTS: Ultrasound or computed tomography revealed absence of the suprarenal segment of the IVC in two patients, and nine were diagnosed with absence of the infrarenal segment of the IVC. Median treatment time was 58 hours (range, 42-95 h). No deaths or serious complications occurred. Overall, complications were observed in four patients, one of whom required blood transfusion. Three patients were diagnosed with thrombophilia. Median follow-up was 37 months (range, 51 d to 96 mo). All patients had patent deep veins and one developed reflux in the popliteal fossa after 4 years. No thromboembolic recurrences were observed during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter-directed thrombolysis of patients with acute iliofemoral DVT and atresia of the IVC is a viable treatment option, as reasonable clinical outcomes can be obtained.

Flash pulmonary edema in patients with renal artery stenosis--the Pickering Syndrome.

AIM: We report the prevalence of flash pulmonary edema in patients consecutively referred for balloon angioplasty of uni- or bilateral renal artery stenosis (PTRA), and describe the characteristics of this special fraction of the patients. We further report two unusual cases. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Review of medical records from 60 patients consecutively referred for uni- or bilateral PTRA from 2004-2005 in Copenhagen County. RESULTS: Eight out of 60 patients had one or more episodes of flash pulmonary edema before PTRA. Compared with the remaining patients, they had a higher prevalence of bilateral stenosis (50% vs 27%) and coronary artery disease (75% vs 28%). However, only one of eight had severe systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. After PTRA, two recurrences of flash pulmonary edema were observed. One was caused by severe restenosis and did not recur after aorto-renal bypass surgery. The other one was caused by rapid atrial fibrillation and did not recur after pacemaker and medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Flash pulmonary edema can be observed in patients with unilateral as well as bilateral stenosis. The prognosis is usually excellent upon treatment of the stenoses. Recurrences are rare unless restenosis occurs, and therefore, regular control, e.g. by Doppler-ultrasound examination is recommended.

Room for improvement in reoperation for varicosities of the small saphenous vein.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative effects of surgery for recurrent varicosities of the small saphenous vein (SSV). To our knowledge, English-language original articles on this subject have not previously been published. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified 47 patients who had had surgery for recurrent varicosities of the SSV between November 2005 and June 2008 at the Vascular Department, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen. Twenty-eight were women and 19 were men. Three had had bilateral surgery, so a total of 50 legs had been operated. All patients had their re-surgery to the SSV performed by experienced vascular surgeons after duplex scanning. RESULTS: The subjects' median age was 57 years at surgery (range 31-67 years) and the median follow-up period was 15 months after secondary surgery (range 3-31 months). Postoperative duplex scan showed 25 legs with no reflux, 19 legs with neovascularisation at the saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) and six legs with surgical failure. Examination for nervous lesions showed two legs with severe change in sensibility compatible with damage to the sural nerve. Eight legs had small asymptomatic areas of sensibility change. Among the studied patients, 39 out of 50 reported a positive effect on symptoms after re-surgery. CONCLUSION: Only 25 of the operations resulted in no reflux of the SPJ. But 39 out of 50 patients reported an overall positive effect on symptoms after re-surgery. Re-operation of the SSV should only be performed by dedicated vascular surgeons and endovenous methods should be explored.

[The post-thrombotic syndrome and its endovascular treatment].

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a complication after deep venous thrombosis, causing considerable disability in affected patients. In this review, we present the aetiology, pathophysiology, risk factors and diagnosis of PTS and discuss different treatments with a special focus on endovascular treatment for iliac vein obstruction, which is documented as a safe, effective and durable treatment for severe PTS. Although treatment of PTS in Denmark currently only is based on conservative strategy, we would like to encourage, that endovascular treatment should be considered as a treatment option in these patients.

Diagnostic methods for measurement of peripheral blood flow during exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Measurement of systolic ankle and to some extent toe pressure in patients suffering from combined type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) face several obstacles due to complex changes in the vascular bed. The aim of this review was to address the current literature on blood flow during exercise in patients with PAD and T2DM and assess the feasibility of these methods to diagnose and grade arterial insufficiency. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of the PubMed and EMBASE databases, supplemented by hand searching was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Clinical studies evaluating methods to investigate peripheral blood flow in patients with PAD and T2DM during exercise were included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In total nine eligible studies consisting of 1105 non-diabetic PAD patients, 336 diabetic PAD patients, 161 diabetic patients without PAD and 69 healthy controls were included in the review. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was described in three studies, transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement (TcpO2) in two and the following methods described in single studies: thermodilution, contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), scintigraphy and TcpO2 in combination with ultrasound. These studies shows that patients with PAD and T2DM compared with patients with only PAD suffers different atherosclerotic lesions characterised by increased arterial stiffness and microcirculation abnormalities, not well differentiated by pressure measurement alone. Investigating patients with PAD and T2DM during exercise reveals that NIRS, TcpO2, CEUS, and scintigraphy have distinct advantages over ankle and toe-pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Using methods like NIRS, TcpO2, CEUS and scintigraphy, peripheral blood flow during exercise can be measured at a detailed level and potentially improve future severity grading in patients with combined T2DM and PAD.