Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Prehospital Thrombolysis: A Manual from Berlin
05:52

Prehospital Thrombolysis: A Manual from Berlin

Published on: November 26, 2013

Catheter-directed thrombolysis in the treatment of phlegmasia cerulea dolens

N H Patel1, J J Plorde, M Meissner

  • 1Department of Radiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.

Annals of Vascular Surgery
|September 11, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens, a severe deep venous thrombosis complication, lacks a treatment consensus. Catheter-directed venous thrombolytic therapy offers a successful treatment option for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare but severe complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
  • It presents with extensive venous thrombosis, leading to limb ischemia and potential limb loss.
  • Current treatment strategies lack consensus, with options including anticoagulation, surgery, and thrombolysis.

Observation:

  • Two cases of phlegmasia cerulea dolens were treated.
  • Both cases involved extensive deep venous thrombosis.
  • Catheter-directed venous thrombolytic therapy was utilized in both instances.

Findings:

  • Successful treatment of phlegmasia cerulea dolens was achieved in both presented cases.
  • Catheter-directed thrombolysis effectively resolved the extensive venous thrombosis.
  • This approach avoided more invasive surgical interventions.

Implications:

  • Catheter-directed venous thrombolytic therapy is a viable and effective treatment for phlegmasia cerulea dolens.
  • This minimally invasive approach may offer an alternative to traditional surgical methods.
  • Further research into optimal treatment protocols for phlegmasia cerulea dolens is warranted.

More Related Videos

An In vitro System to Gauge the Thrombolytic Efficacy of Histotripsy and a Lytic Drug07:50

An In vitro System to Gauge the Thrombolytic Efficacy of Histotripsy and a Lytic Drug

Published on: June 4, 2021

Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis06:59

Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis

Published on: August 26, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:27

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management01:27

Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor tissue, fat, or air embolus blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. Effective nursing management and patient education are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing recurrence.Nursing management starts with obtaining a comprehensive patient history, particularly noting any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Assess for clinical manifestations, including dyspnea, chest pain, crackles, heart murmurs, and signs of right-sided...