Management of Chronic Deep Vein Thrombosis and Post Thrombotic Syndrome

Interventional radiologists at Penn Medicine are performing deep vein recanalization to treat post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) following deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with extremely high success rates (92%-95%). Deep vein recanalization offers the potential for vein restoration and symptomatic relief of massive leg swelling and pain, and reduces the risk of recurrent blood clots even among patients considered "untreatable" as a result of long-term PTS.

By comparison to distal DVT (below the knee), patients with proximal DVT (extending into the thigh and/or pelvis or abdomen) have a greater than 50% chance of developing PTS.¹ For those patients with inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, there is up to a 20% risk of developing complete blockage of the IVC if the filter is not removed when it is no longer needed.

Deep venous recanalization is a complex, yet minimally invasive procedure that involves threading a small wire (1 mm in diameter) and a catheter from the ankle through the blocked veins. A balloon is advanced over the wire and inflated to open the vein (a technique or procedure known as angioplasty) and break up scar tissue that is preventing the vein wall from staying open.

Once the scar tissue is broken, the previously blocked vein remains open enabling blood to drain from the legs and lower body back to the heart. For veins in the abdomen and pelvis, stents are placed to keep the veins open. In individuals whose PTS is related to an IVC filter, removal of the IVC filter with endobronchial forceps, a technique pioneered at Penn Medicine,* is performed.

Chronic venous disease is a condition that requires a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach. Procedures such as endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) and sclerotherapy are also performed at Penn Medicine to treat painful varicose veins, skin discoloration, and venous ulcers. Our team works closely with hematologists, lymphedema specialists and wound care experts to offer the most advanced care. A hallmark of the program is providing education to patients so that they can better understand chronic venous disease.

*For information about the procedure created at Penn Interventional Radiology to remove embedded IVC filters, please see the Complex Retrieval of Embedded Inferior Vena Cava Filters Clinical Briefing.

Case Study

Mr. J was referred to Penn Interventional Radiology for severe disabling PTS. Several years before, Mr. J presented to another hospital with shortness of breath and leg swelling and was found to have an extensive DVT in the right leg with a pulmonary embolism. He was placed on blood thinners and had an IVC filter placed. Months later, he developed massive swelling and pain in both legs that required him to go on disability and use a wheelchair. In the following months, he saw several specialists, who told him nothing further could be done to improve his quality of life.

At Penn Interventional Radiology, an examination of Mr. J's legs found significant edema, abdominal varicosities, and skin discoloration. Massive swelling prevented Mr. J from wearing pants or shoes, and he was unable to stand for more than 5 minutes without severe pain and shortness of breath. A CT scan showed that the IVC and iliac veins in the abdomen and pelvis were completely blocked and had scarred down to one-tenth of the original size (Figure 1). The blockage extended up to the IVC filter, which was embedded in the IVC wall.

With an expert team of anesthesiologists and nurses, Penn IR physicians removed the IVC filter using endobronchial forceps. Through 3 small skin punctures, the chronically blocked IVC and iliac veins were opened and reconstructed with stents while the chronic scar tissue in the femoral and popliteal veins in the legs was broken up with balloon angioplasty (Figure 2).^€

After the procedure, Mr. J was placed on anticoagulation, an exercise regimen, and provided compression stockings. At one month follow-up, he had lost more than 30 lbs, had significant improvement in pain and swelling (Figure 3), resolution of shortness of breath, and was able to return to work and regain his quality of life. Four years later, he continues to do very well.

€ For information about other therapies to manage deep vein thrombosis at Penn Interventional Radiology, please see the Pharmacomechanical Thrombolysis of Symptomatic Deep Vein Thrombosis Clinical Briefing.

Access

Penn Interventional Radiology

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
1 Silverstein
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
4 Wright-Saunders Building
51 North 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania Hospital
800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA

Penn Radiology

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Ground Dulles
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Published on: April 23, 2020

References

1. DePietro DM, Carlon T Trerotola SO, Sudheendra D. Catheter-Directed Therapy Options for Iliofemoral Venous Thrombosis. Surg Clin N Am 2018;98:255–265

About the Division of Intervional Radiology

Patients travel from around to world to Penn Interventional Radiology to be treated for venous disease. In addition to advanced diagnostics and innovative minimally invasive procedures, the Division offers dedicated IR suites, an active outpatient clinic and admitting and consulting services.

Penn Faculty Team