The emerging role of mechanical thrombectomy in acute DVT management

Catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy in various technical combinations have been the main driver of acute deep venous interventions for over a decade. While the majority of high-level evidence was based on it, CDT requires longer procedural care and is associated to a small but not negligible bleeding risk. Contemporary DVT intervention, following the paradigm shift in myocardial infarction and stroke management, has steadily migrated towards minimizing or eliminating thrombolytics due to the introduction of mechanical/aspiration thrombectomy. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) devices are undoubtedly improving our ability to remove thrombus more efficiently in a single session without the adverse events and complex logistics related to the use of thrombolytics.