A referral pathway for treating patients with severe venous disease using mechanical thrombectomy

DVT is associated with clinically significant sequelae, and the most widely used therapies for severe venous disease are often ineffective. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) offers a promising approach, but most patients with a history of DVT are not evaluated for such intervention.

To present overall outcomes and the outcome of a single case after use of an MT procedure to manage advanced deep venous disease.

This retrospective, single-center analysis included all patients with a CEAP score of C6 secondary to DVT who were referred from a wound clinic and underwent an MT-based procedure.

Eleven patients with 14 affected limbs were referred for treatment from an associated care network and were treated with MT. As necessary, adjunctive venoplasty and stent placement were also used. The endovascular treatment was successful in removing fibrous obstructions from veins and supporting the improvement or resolution of C6 venous disease in all cases, including the 66-year-old male discussed in the current report.

Collaboration between endovascular interventionists and local postacute wound care specialists to identify and refer patients with severe venous disease for advanced treatment may lead to improved outcomes.