Excellent long-term results with iliac stenting in local anesthesia for post-thrombotic syndrome

Only 20% of iliac veins will recanalize on anticoagulation (AC) treatment alone and may, therefore, develop venous obstruction after iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A considerable number of these patients will suffer from post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) leading to impaired quality of life in more than 50%. Endovascular treatment for iliac vein obstruction using stents is known to alleviate PTS symptoms in selected patients.

To report the Danish long-term results of endovascular treatment with iliac stenting.

From 2000 to 2013 consecutive patients were evaluated and 19 patients with severe venous claudication were identified and subsequently underwent angioplasty and stenting. AC treatment was prescribed for 6 months, and knee-high class II compression stocking recommended for 1 year. Scheduled follow-up was done in the outpatient clinic at 6 weeks, 3 months, and annually thereafter.

Nineteen patients, all women, all with left-sided iliac vein obstruction, and all with severe PTS symptoms were included. The median follow-up time was 81 months (range, 1-146 months; mean, 69 months). Primary patency rate of the inserted iliac stent was 89% (17/19) and 16 patients (84 %) had almost or total symptom relief at follow-up.

Endovascular stenting of iliac obstruction in local anesthesia is minimally invasive and shows excellent long-term outcomes for patients suffering from PTS.