Advances in the diagnosis and management of postthrombotic syndrome

Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a frequent long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Known risk factors include obesity, recurrent ipsilateral DVT, iliofemoral DVT, persistent symptoms one month after DVT diagnosis, and having subtherapeutic INRs greater than 50% of the time during the first few months on anticoagulant therapy. Other risk factors remain under investigation. The Villalta scale ranks the presence and severity of signs and symptoms of PTS. Preventive therapies include use of elastic compression stockings. Compression therapy is also used to treat PTS, in addition to wound care for associated venous ulcers, and herbal therapies for postthrombotic ulcers and edema. Though not well studied, there are surgical options for severe cases of PTS refractory to other treatments. Ongoing clinical trials should provide insight on risk factors, and interventions for PTS prevention and treatment. In particular, use of early thrombolysis for acute iliofemoral DVT to prevent PTS is currently being investigated.