[Pro and contra: aggressive or conservative thrombosis therapy? - Pro aggressive thrombosis therapy]

The post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), long-term sequelae of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), reduces quality of life and is of great socio-economic importance. Despite conservative treatment which does not directly facilitate recanalization more than 25% of patients develop PTS. Early thrombus removal may decrease the incidence and severity of PTS. Although the evidence for surgical thrombectomy is weak which allows an early and rapid recanalization, this therapy appears to reduce the risk of PTS and iliofemoral thrombosis. Systemic thrombolysis can reduce the incidence of PTS but it is no longer recommended due to serious bleeding complications. Previous studies with new endovascular catheter-guided procedures allowing local application of thrombolysis and thrombus aspiration displayed promising results. However, so far one prospective randomised study (CaVent study) with long-term results has revealed a significant reduction of PTS. The current evidence recommends early thrombus removal for patients at high risk for PTS. New endovascular procedures such as catheter-guided thrombolysis allow rapid thrombus removal but more prospective randomised studies are necessary to ensure the long-term success of this therapy.