Purpose: To report our experience with mechanical thrombectomy in proximal
deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Methods: Eighteen patients with a mean (+/- SD) age of 37.6 +/- 16.1 years
who presented with DVT in the iliac and femoral vein (n = 3), inferior vena
cava (n = 5), or inferior vena cava and iliac vein (n = 10), were treated
with the Amplatz Thrombectomy Device after insertion of a temporary caval f
ilter.
Results: Successful recanalization was achieved in 15 of 18 patients (83%).
Overall, the percentage of thrombus removed was 66 +/- 29%: 73 +/- 30% at
caval level and 55 +/- 36% at iliofemoral level. Complementary intervention
s (seven patients) were balloon angioplasty (n = 2), angioplasty and stenti
ng (n = 2), thrombo-aspiration alone (n = 1), thrombo-aspiration, balloon a
ngioplasty, and permanent filter (n = 1), and permanent filter alone (n = 1
). There was one in-hospital death. Follow-up was obtained at a mean of 29.
6 months; three patients had died (two cancers, one myocardial infarction);
10 had no or minimal sequelae; one had post-phlebitic limb.
Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy is a potential therapeutic option in pa
tients presenting with proximal DVT.