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Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination is increasingly used in the treatment of iliofemoral venous disease and provides more sensitive and specific detection of stenotic lesions when compared with traditional multiplanar venography alone. Correlations with deep venous stent patency, however, have not yet been investigated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the use of IVUS examination in addition to multiplanar venography on iliofemoral venous patency.Consecutive patients who underwent stenting for symptomatic thrombotic or nonthrombotic iliofemoral venous lesions (NIVLs) between 2014 and 2020 at a single institution were identified and divided into two groups based on whether IVUS examination was used before stent deployment in addition to multiplanar venography compared with venography alone. A retrospective review of demographic, operative, and follow-up data was performed. Thirty-day and 2-year stent patency were measured as primary end points. χWe identified 150 patients (173 limbs, 23 bilateral) who underwent iliofemoral stenting during the study period at our institution (mean age: 48.8 ± 16.8 years, 61% female). Adjunctive IVUS utilization before stent deployment was reported in 69 of 173 (39.9%) treated limbs. IVUS examination was more likely to be used in patients who underwent stenting for NIVLs compared with thrombotic disease (41.0% vs 11.2%, P .01). There was no difference in the number of stents deployed between IVUS and non-IVUS cohorts. However, IVUS examination was associated with the increased total length of the stent deployed (126 ± 56 vs 112 ± 48 mm, P = .04) and a higher rate of infrainguinal stent extension (17.4% vs 6.7%, P = .03). In addition, mean stent diameter was significantly higher when IVUS examination was performed before stent placement (16.3 ± 3.7 vs 15.2 ± 1.9 mm, P .01). Both 30-day (98.5% vs 89.4%, P = .02) and 2-year (90.3% vs 78.7%, P = .03) primary patency were significantly higher in the IVUS cohort. Adjunctive IVUS use was found to significantly protect against stent reintervention at 2 years on adjusted Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio: 0.22, 95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.71, P = .01).Adjunctive IVUS utilization is associated with differences in stent diameter and length selections as well as landing segments in the treatment of thrombotic and nonthrombotic iliofemoral venous disease. IVUS examination before stent deployment significantly protects against 30-day and 2-year stent reintervention when compared with the use of multiplanar venography alone. These data provide stronger evidence for routine IVUS use in addition to venography before iliofemoral venous stenting.

Left iliac vein compression is associated with left iliac vein thrombosis (IVT), potentially limiting the migration of the thrombus from this stenotic segment to the pulmonary arteries. We sought to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and risk factors of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (SPE) in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in different limbs and anatomical locations.A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1476 patients with acute unilateral lower extremity DVT. Differences of clinical characteristics and risk factors between left-sided and right-sided DVT, IVT, and non-IVT, cases with SPE and cases without SPE were compared. Risk factors for SPE were investigated using logistic regression analysis.SPE was more common in patients with right-sided DVT than patients with left-sided DVT (13.8% vs 7.0%; P .001). SPE incidence in left IVT (5.4%) was lower than that in left non-IVT, right IVT, and right non-IVT (12.8%, 10.1%, 16.6%, respectively; P .001). There was no difference in SPE incidence among patients with left non-IVT, right IVT and right non-IVT (P.05). In patients with left-sided DVT, male sex was associated with an increased odds of SPE (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-2.85; P = .02). IVT, surgery, and immobilization were associated with a decreased odds of SPE (OR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.28-0.76; P .01]; OR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.32-0.95; P = .03]; and OR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.32-0.86; P = .01]). In patients with right-sided DVT, provoked DVT was associated with a decreased odds of SPE (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.27-0.93; P = .03).Left IVT is associated with a lower SPE incidence than right-sided DVT. Left IVT and may be a relative protective factor against SPE.

The objective of this study was to describe the contribution and advantage of balloon-dilatation of iliac and femoral veins following pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT) on the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS).From October 2018 and January 2022, 85 patients with acute total occlusion of the iliac and femoral veins were treated with PCDT. The cohort was divided into 2 groups depending on the utilization of concomitant balloon dilatation of iliac and femoral veins (Group 1, n = 34, 40.0%) or not (Group 2, n = 51, 60.0%) during the PCDT. All patients underwent duplex ultrasound scanning for evaluating the patency of iliac veins and recanalization rates at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The Villalta score was used to score the severity of PTS at 12 months postoperatively.Patients who underwent balloon-assisted PCDT (group 1) exhibited significantly higher primary patency rates in common iliac vein (CIV) (recanalization 84.3 ± 14.6%, P = 0.003), external iliac vein (EIV) (recanalization 82.8 ± 17.2, P = 0.003) and common femoral vein (CFV) (recanalization 88.1 ± 12.1%, P = 0.038) compared with the group 2 at the end of 12 months follow-up. Only 2 patients underwent venous stenting in follow-up due to severe venous claudication, however, 13 patients were required iliac vein stenting due to severe PTS proved with a high Villalta score at 12-month follow-up. The d-dimer level at 1-year follow-up had also significantly lower in Group 1 due to higher rates of patency and lower thrombosis burden. The most common bleeding events were hematuria (n = 4) or oozing in the puncture site (n = 4).This study showed that balloon-assisted PCDT reduces the risk of PTS, is more successful in common iliac vein recanalization, reduces the need for the venous stent, and even lowers the D-dimer levels of the patients compared to routine PCDT alone.

Regression of thrombus in response to treatment with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with extensive deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of rivaroxaban in the treatment of extensive DVT.We retrospectively evaluated 76 patients treated with rivaroxaban among 728 new DVT patients, at our hospital from January 2018 to March 2021. Extensive DVT was defined as thrombus connecting to 2 or more segments of the inferior vena cava (IVC), iliac vein, femoral vein, or popliteal vein. Localized DVT was defined as a thrombus confined to 1 segment of the inferior vena cava (IVC), iliac vein, femoral vein, or popliteal vein. We compared the changes in thrombus between the extensive DVT group (36 patients) and the localized DVT group (40 patients).In the localized DVT group, 14 (37%) had total recanalization within 3 weeks after DOAC initiation, and 30 (79%) had total recanalization within 3 months. In the extensive DVT group, only 3 (9%) had total recanalization within 3 weeks after starting DOAC, and even after 3 months, only 5 (15%) had total recanalization. Symptoms (P = 0.01) and extensive DVT (P 0.01) were significantly associated with the risk for failure of total recanalization.Rivaroxaban was highly effective for total recanalization of localized DVT but not for symptomatic or extensive DVT. In patients with symptomatic extensive DVT, catheter-based thrombolysis may be considered in selected cases.

We have analyzed our single-center immediate and follow-up results in the management of acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (IFDVT) using pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis (PMCDT) to determine the safety, accuracy, and effects on quality of life and whether this treatment strategy prevents post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS).The cases of 230 patients who had undergone PMCDT to treat IFDVT from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables, Marder scores, outcomes, and follow-up assessments with the Villalta score and venous clinical severity score were investigated.Anatomic success was achieved for 95.2% of the 230 patients. The mean Marder score had decreased from 12.65 ± 2.1 to 2.4 ± 1.3 postoperatively (P .01). Early recurrent thrombosis had developed in 13 patients (5.65%). The primary patency at the 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up visits was 94.0%, 87.2%, and 81.7%, respectively. From 1 to 6 months, the Villalta score had decreased from 8.32 ± 4.14 to 3.43 ± 0.61 and the venous clinical severity score had decreased from 4.0 ± 1.8 to 1.82 ± 0.36 (P .05). No statistically significant difference was found in the PTS severity scores at 12 months of follow-up compared with at 6 months. The mean change in the venous disease-specific quality of life from baseline to 12 months was 29.41 ± 1.99 (P = .029). The total recurrence rate was 19.63% at 1 year.For a select group of patients with acute IFDVT, the use of PMCDT and postoperative anticoagulation therapy offered significant reductions in clot burden, leg pain, and swelling, achieving a significant reduction in PTS severity scores at 6 months.

Background Leg swelling in patients with various central neuromuscular disorders is a common clinical scenario and can lead to significant morbidity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a subset of patients with central neuromuscular disorders who had undergone iliofemoral venous stenting at a specialty venous clinic at a tertiary care hospital. Methods From January 2000 to December 2020, the medical records of all patients with a known central neuromuscular disorder who had undergone iliofemoral venous stenting for chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 42 patients (45 limbs) with central neuromuscular disorders had undergone iliofemoral stenting after failure of a trial of conservative therapy. The central neuromuscular disorders included Parkinson disease (n = 20 limbs), multiple sclerosis (n = 15 limbs), and other neuromuscular conditions (n = 10 limbs). The mean age of the sample was 59 ± 14 years. The ratio of post-thrombotic to nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions was 3:1. Most of the patients had had CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) class ≥C4 (64.4%); 25 limbs had a history of venous thromboembolism (56%). A trend was seen toward improvement in all clinical parameters measured (venous clinical severity score, visual analog scale for pain score, and edema grade) after stenting. An ulcer healing rate of ≤90% was noted after stenting. Of the 45 limbs, 24 had required some form of reintervention (53%) after initial stent placement. Conclusions Venous intervention in the form of endovenous stenting was associated with improvement in the clinical parameters for patients with central neuromuscular disorders. However, these patients should be counseled regarding the relatively higher rate of reinterventions that might be required to correct residual or recurrent symptoms.

Background The use of iliac vein stenting for the treatment of pelvic pain secondary to pelvic venous insufficiency has significantly increased. In women of childbearing age, the effect of the gravid uterus on stent function and patency is unclear. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of pregnancy on stent patency and reintervention rate in women with iliac vein stents. Methods A retrospective chart review and email survey was performed to identify women treated at the Center for Vascular Medicine who were treated with iliac vein stenting and who had subsequent pregnancies. Medical and surgical comorbidities, stent type, location, length, number of stents, reintervention rates, number of pregnancies after stenting, anticoagulation usage during pregnancy, and type of delivery were assessed. Results From January 2014 to December 2020, 15 women with 16 iliac vein stents and who had 17 subsequent pregnancies were identified. The average age at stenting was 35.3 ± 4.13 years. The average interval between stenting and conception was 350 ± 287 days. Before pregnancy, stent location was in the right common/right external iliac veins in 1 patient and left common/external iliac veins in 14 patients. The average stent diameter and length were 19.6 ± 3 and 79.5 ± 20.3 mm, respectively. Thirteen Boston Scientific Wallstents and three Bard Venovo stents were used before pregnancy. One patient with a Wallstent required a stent extension before pregnancy and one patient had two stents placed at the initial procedure. Two women were pregnant twice after stenting for a total of 17 pregnancies. There were 16 term and 1 premature delivery of single infants. Patients were treated with enoxaparin (Lovenox) for stent-related thrombosis prophylaxis in 11 of 17 pregnancies, 5 had no prophylaxis, and the status of 1 pregnancy is unknown. One asymptomatic patient underwent a stent venoplasty after delivery. Conclusions Iliac vein stents tolerate a gravid uterus well. No stents thrombosed during or after pregnancy and none required reintervention secondary to pregnancy-related compression. Anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin should be considered for stent thrombosis prophylaxis. Potential pregnancy should not be considered a contraindication to iliac vein stenting for the treatment of symptomatic pelvic venous insufficiency.

Background For women with left common iliac vein compression (ie, May-Thurner syndrome) who undergo venous stenting and subsequently become pregnant, concerns have been raised regarding a possible compromise of stent patency due to compression from the gravid uterus and the hypercoagulability induced by pregnancy. Only a small body of literature exists on this subject, and limited management guidelines are available. The present study was designed to evaluate the safety of iliac vein stenting for May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) with subsequent pregnancy. Methods Female patients who had undergone common iliac vein stenting at our center who were aged 18 to 45 years and had subsequently become pregnant were identified. A retrospective medical record review of eight eligible patients was conducted, recording the demographics, procedural characteristics, and anticoagulation strategies. The primary outcome evaluated was stent patency. Results All eight patients had undergone left common iliac vein stenting for MTS. A total of eight stents were placed, and all demonstrated duplex ultrasound patency throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Seven patients delivered healthy pregnancies, and one experienced a stillbirth. The clinical CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) class remained unchanged or improved from pregnancy to postpartum for all patients. The average age at stent placement was 31 ± 5 years, and the average interval from stent placement to pregnancy was 28 ± 19 months. One patient developed nonobstructive deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left femoral vein during pregnancy and was treated with therapeutic enoxaparin. The nonobstructive DVT did not compromise the iliac vein stent. Two patients received low-dose aspirin and prophylactic doses of enoxaparin, one for a history of DVT and factor V Leiden and one for a recent history of fertility treatment. The five remaining patients received no anticoagulation, three received low-dose aspirin, and two received no antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions Common iliac vein stent patency was not compromised by subsequent pregnancy in our eight patients with MTS. Furthermore, the stents remained patent throughout pregnancy in patients receiving a wide range of anticoagulation and antiplatelet treatments, suggesting that no uniform therapeutic threshold exists and treatment should be individualized. For most patients, low-dose aspirin alone or no treatment was adequate. This could have implications for counseling women who require intervention for MTS and are of child-bearing age.

This study characterized the impact of vein wall biomechanics on inflow diameter and luminal flow during venous angioplasty and stent placement, using postthrombotic and healthy biomechanical properties from an ovine venous stenosis and thrombosis model. Finite element analysis demonstrated more pronounced inflow channel narrowing in the postthrombotic vein compared with the healthy control vein during angioplasty and stent placement (relative inflow diameter reduction of 42% versus 13%, P.0001). Computational fluid dynamics modeling showed increased relative areas of low wall shear rate in the postthrombotic vein compared with the normal vein (0.46 vs 0.24 for shear rate50 s

To study the long-term outcomes in patients with occlusive Iliofemoral chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of benign etiology treated by dedicated venous stents (Zilver Vena stents; Cook, Bloomington, Ind) placed at a single center.We performed retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 58 patients with symptomatic benign lower limb CVI during the period from January 2013 to October 2020. Patients underwent recanalization using Zilver Vena stents at Ain Shams University hospitals. We excluded patients requiring stenting after intervention for acute deep venous thrombosis, CVI due to malignancy or vascular malformations, previous ipsilateral venous interventions, or CVI due to nonobstructive pathology (reflux). Patients were clinically classified at enrollment by the clinical, etiology, anatomy, pathology class, venous disability score, and Villalta score. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary stent patency were assessed. Patients were followed clinically and by duplex, at 1, 3, 6, 12 months and annually for 5 years.There were 31 males and 27 females, with ages ranging between 25 and 60 years (mean, 43.84 years). All patients had post-thrombotic syndrome with a mean Villalta score of 16.8 (range, 10-31). Patients were treated with dedicated venous stents and had a median follow-up of 60 months. The median venous disability score was 3 at the start of the study with a significant decrease to 1 at 5-year follow-up (P .001). Twelve-month primary patency, assisted primary patency, and secondary patency were 91.4%, 96.6%, and 98.3%, respectively. At the 5-year follow-up, primary patency was 60.3%, assisted primary patency 65.5%, and secondary patency 81%. There were no instances of stent fracture, migration, or structural deformities.Treating iliofemoral venous occlusive disease with a dedicated venous stent is an excellent choice for patients with occlusive post-thrombotic syndrome. The technique has good 1-year and 5-year patency and is associated with significant clinical improvement and few complications.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) and stent compression (SC) are problems encountered after stenting for chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction that are responsible for a majority of reinterventions. However, characteristics of ISR and SC, in addition to outcomes after reintervention, have not been explored in detail and represent the focus of this study.A retrospective analysis of contemporaneously entered electronic medical record data on 578 limbs/patients with initial unilateral iliofemoral venous stents placed from 2014 to 2018 was performed. ISR was estimated from stent and flow channel diameters measured using duplex ultrasound. SC was estimated from rated stent diameter and actual stent diameter on duplex ultrasound. Characteristics evaluated included onset of ISR/SC after stent placement and progression over time. Analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for the development of ISR and SC. Outcomes after reintervention for ISR/SC were also appraised.A total of 578 limbs underwent stenting for stenotic lesions (nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion/post-thrombotic syndrome). ISR was noted in 27% of limbs on post-intervention day 1. The prevalence of ISR increased to 74% by 3 months and stabilized thereafter. SC was noted in 80% of limbs on day 1 and plateaued. Of the variables evaluated as potential risk factors for ISR, intravascular ultrasound determined stent inflow luminal area and shear rate were found to be significant. For SC, asymmetric stent sizing was a significant risk factor. Over a median follow-up of 24 months, 95 of 578 (16.4%) limbs underwent reintervention for ISR, SC, or a combination. The median time to reintervention was 11 months. There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of ISR/SC among patients who underwent reintervention vs those who did not (P.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the grade of swelling (P = .006) and visual analog scale pain scores (P .0001) between those who underwent reintervention and those who did not. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patencies at 60 months were 70%, 98%, and 84% after reintervention for ISR and 70%, 99%, and 84% for SC, respectively.Although ISR and SC are both common after stenting for chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction, neither are relentlessly progressive. Indication for reintervention must be a recurrence of symptoms with impairment of quality of life and not the percentage of ISR or degree of SC. After reintervention good outcomes can be expected both in terms of clinical improvement and stent patency. Further study of the impact of shear rate on stent flow is required to help reduce the incidence of ISR.

Background Iliac venous stenting (IVS) for thrombotic and nonthrombotic venous disease is increasingly used as evidence of the safety, efficacy and durability of these interventions increases. Female gender has been implicated as a predictor of failure in arterial endovascular interventions. We hypothesize that female gender could be predictive of patency rates of iliac vein stenting. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent IVS for thrombotic or nonthrombotic venous disease at our institution from 2007 until 2019 were identified and divided into groups based on gender. Operative notes, venograms, and the electronic health record were then queried to obtain operative details, co-morbid conditions, postoperative outcomes and stent patency. Study outcome was long term patency rate. The data was analyzed using chi-square, logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis as appropriate. Results A total of 200 consecutive patients (231 limbs) were identified in our retrospective analysis, with a mean age of 48.8 ± 17.3, and BMI of 31.6 ± 8.6. Of those, 119 (59.5%) patients, (131 [56.8%] limbs) were female. Comparisons between the gender groups revealed no difference in age, BMI, or preoperative comorbidities. There was no difference in type of venous disease between male (85% thrombotic, 15% nonthrombotic) and female (84% thrombotic, 16% nonthrombotic), P= 0.830. The male cohort was more likely to present with leg ulceration (17% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.002), and the female cohort was more likely to present with leg edema (98.5% vs. 93.0%, P= 0.03). The male cohort had a higher rate of caval (48% vs. 33.6%, P= 0.027) and infrainguinal stent extension. (11% vs. 6.9%, P= 0.02). Females had a higher rate of left sided stenting (80.9% vs. 66/0%, P= 0.010). There was no difference in the median stent diameter used between the cohorts. Primary patency at 5 years was significantly higher for the male cohort (94.1% vs. 74.4%, P= 0.01) On adjusted multivariable cox regression female gender was a predictor of loss of primary patency within 5 years (HR, 4.04; P= 0.007). Conclusions In this single center retrospective analysis of IVS, male patients were found to have better primary stent patency compared to female.

Background/objective: We investigated the efficacy of combined pigtail catheter crushing and AngioJet mechanical aspiration of thrombi in the treatment of acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods: Eighty-two patients with acute iliofemoral DVT were retrospectively divided into a pigtail catheter + AngioJet group (group A, 42 cases) and an AngioJet-only group (group B, 40 cases). The difference in the circumference of the healthy limbs before and after treatment, immediate thrombus clearance rate in the lower limbs, recannalization percentage of venous lumen, and duration of postoperative hematuria were compared to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the combination method. Results: The technical success rate was 100%, no serious bleeding complications occurred, lower extremity symptoms were effectively alleviated, and post-treatment recannalization percentage of venous lumen were similarly high in both groups. Group A fared significantly better than group B in immediate thrombus clearance (P

Background Venous stenting for iliac vein outflow obstruction is associated with excellent long-term stent patency and symptom resolution. However, the safety of iliac vein stenting performed in an office-based laboratory (OBL) setting is not well-defined. The purpose of our investigation was to determine the safety profile of iliac vein stenting in an OBL setting. Methods Data were prospectively collected in the Center for Vascular Medicine electronic medical record system (NextGen Healthcare Information System, Irvine, Calif) and retrospectively analyzed. Standardized patient safety and sedation protocols were used in accordance with the accreditation standards of the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospital Organizations for office-based surgery centers. Patient consultations, interventions, and follow-up at 1 to 6 weeks were included in the present analysis. All the patients had received moderate sedation during their procedure. Complications requiring hospitalization were classified as major complications. Minor complications consisted of bleeding, hematoma, vasovagal response, in-stent thrombosis resulting in complete occlusion of the iliac vein stent, an allergic reaction, hematemesis, hypotension, pelvic discomfort, and pseudoaneurysm. Results Between January 2015 and January 2019, 1223 iliac vein stents were placed in 1104 patients (23.7% male; 76.3% female). A total of 90 minor complications (7.36%) and 5 major complications (0.41%) were observed. The major complications included the following: one allergic reaction, one episode of atrial fibrillation, one episode of supraventricular tachycardia, one episode of chest pain, and one case of acute stent occlusion. The minor complications were primarily insertion site hematomas. No complications were related to sedation or acute renal failure. No patient died. Conclusions Major complications were rare after iliac vein stenting in an OBL setting. Minor complications were primarily insertion site hematomas, which did not require inpatient hospitalization. Our analysis has shown that iliac vein stenting in an OBL setting is a safe and well-tolerated procedure.

Background Histologic analyses of deep vein thrombi (DVTs) have used autopsy samples and animal models. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has reported on thrombus composition after percutaneous mechanical extraction. Because elements of chronicity and organization render thrombus resistant to anticoagulation and thrombolysis, a better understanding of clot evolution could inform therapy. Methods We performed a histologic evaluation of DVTs from consecutive patients who had undergone mechanical thrombectomy for extensive iliofemoral DVTs using the Clottriever/Flowtriever device (Inari Medical, Irvine, Calif). The DVTs were scored using a semiquantitative method according to the degree of fibrosis (collagen deposition on trichrome staining) and organization (endothelial growth with capillaries and fibroblastic penetration). Results Twenty-three specimens were available for analysis, with 20 presenting as acute DVT (≤14 days from symptom onset). Of the 23 patients, 11 (48%) had had >5% fibrosis (ie, collagen deposition) and 14 (61%) had had >5% organization (ie, endothelial growth, capillaries, fibroblasts). Four patients with acute DVT had had ≥25% organized thrombus and two had had ≥25% collagen deposition. Of the 20 patients with acute DVT, 40% had had >5% fibrosis and 55% had had >5% organization. The acuity of DVT did not correlate with the amount of fibrosis or organizing scores. Conclusions A large proportion of patients with acute DVT will have histologic elements of chronicity and fibrosis. A better understanding of the relationship between such elements and the response to anticoagulant agents and fibrinolytic drugs could inform our approach to therapy.

Objective The objectives of the present study were to determine the validity of transabdominal duplex ultrasound (TAUS) against the reference standard of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examinations for the detection of iliac vein obstruction (IVO). Methods We analyzed the data from patients at a private vascular laboratory who had undergone IVUS investigation with an intention to treat because of symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and a high suspicion of IVO. These patients had also previously undergone a TAUS examination at the same location. The TAUS and IVUS planimetry measures of the left common iliac vein (CIV) were correlated. These included the TAUS-measured minimum and maximum diameter and the percentage of stenosis with the IVUS-measured minimum and maximum diameter and area and the percentage of stenosis. Results The TAUS and IVUS data from 47 patients (83% female; age, 49.3 ± 17.3 years; 64% obese) were included in the analyses. We found 89% agreement between the TAUS and IVUS findings regarding the identification of left CIV stenosis of ≥50%. The TAUS data had a positive predictive value of 95.5%. The TAUS measures of the minimum diameter and percentage of stenosis correlated significantly with the IVUS measures of the minimum diameter, minimum area, and cross-sectional area of the percentage of stenosis. The strongest correlations were between the TAUS-measured minimum diameter and IVUS-measured minimum area and percentage of the area of stenosis according to the literature-derived value. The TAUS-measured vein diameter of 8 mm equated to an IVUS cross-sectional area of 94.2 mm2 (53% stenosis), and an IVUS cross-sectional area of 50% of stenosis equated to a TAUS diameter of 8.56 mm. Conclusions The findings from the present study support the validity of TAUS evaluation as a workup diagnostic tool for the detection of IVO. Our findings also support the use of TAUS planimetry—in particular, the CIV diameter of ≤8 mm as a threshold value—to indicate clinically relevant stenosis and trigger an IVUS investigation with an intention to treat, because this correlated with a cross-sectional area stenosis of ≥50%, as determined by IVUS examination.

Background Patients with chronic iliofemoral venous obstructive lesions that often require stenting extending below the inguinal ligament. However, the issue of stents crossing the inguinal ligament is currently controversial. Some guidelines suggest that it should be avoided, and some guidelines suggest that in order to ensure adequate flow, the inguinal ligament can be crossed if necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical aspects and examine patency rates of stent placement across the inguinal ligament for managing iliofemoral venous obstruction. Methods A retrospective analysis of 127 patients with chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction were treated with interventional surgery in a single institution from January 2012 to January 2018 was conducted. All patients underwent balloon dilatation and placement of at least 2 stents extending below inguinal ligament. Inflow condition, technical success, operation duration, stent patency rates, anticoagulant selection and duration, and complications were recorded after the interventions. Results The technical success rate was 100%. No major perioperative complications occurred. The mean number of stents was 2.14 ± 0.37. Follow up periods ranged from 12 to 60 months (28.79 ± 10.90 months). Overall cumulative primary, assisted primary, and secondary stent patency rates were 81.9%, 90.5%, and 92.9% at 12 months and 70.4%, 80.9%, and 86.0% at 24 months, and 64.2%, 72.3%, and 74.3% at 36months, respectively. Cumulative patency rates at 12 months, 24 months and 36 months were significantly greater in the patients with “good” inflow as compared to “fair” inflow. The symptoms of all patients improved. None of the stents were compressed, fractured or migrated. Conclusions Stenting across the inguinal ligament for treatment of the patients with chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction was a feasible and safe treatment with good patency and clinical results in short and midterm follow up, and stents with good inflow have better patency.

Objective May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is typically characterized by compression of the left common iliac vein by the overlying right common iliac artery. The present study evaluated the occurrence of atypical imaging features of MTS using three-dimensional computed tomography venography reconstruction (3D-CTV) and analyzed their correlation with clinical features. Methods We analyzed the data from 268 patients with left lower extremity chronic venous disease (CVD) using 3D-CTV at a single institution from January to June 2019. An area stenosis percentage >50% was defined as significant venous compression. Of the 268 patients, 92 had at least one significant iliac and/or vena cava compression confirmed by 3D-CTV. Of the 92 patients, 89 underwent digital subtraction venography via the left common femoral vein, and the outcomes were compared with their 3D-CTV findings. Different types of venous compression were evaluated using 3D-CTV. The relationship among compression type, sex, age, and CVD symptoms was evaluated. Results A total of 106 venous compression sites were found in 92 patients. Atypical compression included inferior vena cava (IVC) compression and partial IVC compression (8.5% and 55.7%, respectively). Multiple compression sites were present in 13 patients (14.1%). The compression sites correlated significantly with clinical symptoms (P = .017) and were related to sex (P = .001). The number of patients with IVC and partial IVC compression but false-negative venography findings was four (33.3%) and six (50%), respectively. Conclusions 3D-CTV facilitates the detection of atypical venous compression in patients with MTS with notable chronic symptoms. Patients with multiple compression sites had more severe clinical symptoms and greater false-negative rates with venography. IVC compression was more likely to occur in female patients with MTS.

Endovascular treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting has quickly gained popularity for treatment of deep venous obstructive disease. Early thrombosis after stenting in iliofemoral veins is uncommon. The treatment and analysis of the underlying factors leading to the rethrombosis of stents placed in the previous 14 days are reported in this study.Patients diagnosed with early in-stent thrombosis after iliofemoral stenting were reviewed in this retrospective analysis. Patients with acute occlusion were routinely treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), and the underlying causes of early occlusion were identified during the procedure. After successful CDT procedures, patients received additional interventions (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting) if indicated.A total of 527 patients underwent stenting in the iliofemoral veins, and 32 patients (20 men [63%]) with acute thrombosis in iliofemoral venous stents placed in the previous 14 days were treated in our center from January 2015 to December 2018. The mean time from the onset of symptoms to the intervention was 6 days. Successful thrombolysis was achieved in 31 of the 32 patients, and additional stents were implanted in 16 patients. Patency was achieved in all cases. The underlying factors of early stent thrombosis were technical failure of the initial procedure, such as suboptimal positioning, failure owing to stent characteristics (stent kinking, compression, and angulation), in-stent residual thrombus, and inadequate anticoagulation. In all cases, recanalization was achieved through successful thrombolysis with or without restenting.Treatment with CDT and stenting of early in-stent thrombosis is effective and feasible. Recanalization of stented segment(s) can be achieved in most cases of recent thrombosis (14 days). Early stent-related occlusion is mainly caused by stent-related problems and technical inadequacies.

Background Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) at lumbosacral junction is typically performed on the central window between the bifurcations of iliac vessels. However, the central window of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTVs) is usually obstructed by the iliocaval venous structures. We aimed to describe the vascular anatomy and surgical approach in OLIF at LSTVs compared with those in OLIF at typical L5-S1 junction. Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients who underwent OLIF at lumbosacral junction were included. Of these, 31 patients had LSTVs and 37 patients had typical L5-S1 junction. The position of the iliocaval junction and the configuration of the left common iliac vein were compared using the preoperative CT and MR images of the lumbar spine. The surgical approach and intraoperative vascular findings were analyzed. Results Almost 70% of LSTVs had the iliocaval junction at low or very low position. Mobilization of left common iliac vein for central window was potentially difficult in almost 74% of OLIF at LSTVs while it was not required or was potentially easy in almost 80% of OLIF at typical L5-S1. Vascular injury was identified in 2 (6.5%) patients with OLIF at LSTVs and in 3 (8.1%) patients with OLIF at typical L5-S1 junction (P = 0.904). Conclusions In our series, OLIF at LSTVs was performed through lateral window in 93.5% of the cases. Preoperative evaluation of the iliocaval junction using CT/MR of lumbar spine was reliable and valid in the determination of OLIF approach at lumbosacral junction.

Purpose The aims of this study were: determination of the CTV to PTV margins for prostate and pelvic lymph nodes. Investigation of the impact of registration modality (pelvic bones or prostate) on the CTV to PTV margins of pelvic lymph nodes. Investigation of the variations of bladder and rectum over the treatment course. Investigation of the impact of bladder and rectum variations on prostate position. Patients and methods This study included 15 patients treated for prostate adenocarcinoma. Daily kilo voltage images and weekly CBCT scans were performed to assess prostate displacements and common and external iliac vessels motion. These data was used to calculate the CTV to PTV margins using Van Herk equation in the setting of a daily bone registration. We also compared the CTV to PTV margins of pelvic lymph nodes according to registration method; based on pelvic bone or prostate. We delineated bladder and rectum on all CBCT scans to assess their variations over treatment course at 4 anatomic levels [1.5 cm above pubic bone (PB), superior edge, mid- and inferior edge of PB]. Results Using Van Herk equation, the prostate CTV to PTV margins (bone registration) were 8.03 mm, 5.42 mm and 8.73 mm in AP, ML and SI direction with more than 97% of prostate displacements were less than 5 mm. The CTV to PTV margins ranged from 3.12 mm to 3.25 mm for external iliac vessels and from 3.12 mm to 4.18 mm for common iliac vessels. Compared to registration based on prostate alignment, bone registration resulted in an important reduction of the CTV to PTV margins up to 54.3% for external iliac vessels and up to 39.6% for common iliac vessels. There was no significant variation of the mean bladder volume over the treatment course. There was a significant variation of the mean rectal volume before and after the third week of treatment. After the third week, the mean rectal volume seemed to be stable. The uni- and multivariate analysis identified the anterior wall of rectum as independent factor acting on prostate motion in AP direction at 2 levels (superior edge of, mid PB). The right rectal wall influenced the prostate motion in ML direction at inferior edge of PB. The bladder volume tends toward significance as factor acting on prostate motion in AP direction. Conclusions We recommend CTV to PTV margins of 8 mm, 6 mm and 9 mm in AP, ML and SI directions for prostate. And, we suggest 4 mm and 5 mm for external and common iliac vessels respectively. We also prefer registration based on bony landmarks to minimize bowel irradiation. More CBCT scans should be performed during the first 3 weeks and especially the first week to check rectum volume.

Background The study intended to evaluate stent primary patency rates for patients with iliac vein obstruction related with iliac vein compression syndrome according to clinic presentation. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of studies that compared: unexposed patients with nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion (NIVL, group 1) vs exposed patients with iliac acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT, group 2); and NIVL (group 1) vs exposed patients with iliac vein obstruction and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS, group 3). The following databases were searched: EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, and LILACS. Two reviewers independently selected the potential studies and extracted data. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) are shown for each outcome. Results Five studies with a total of 1050 participants and 1169 lower limbs were included. Five hundred eighty-eight lower limbs presented NIVL (50.3%), 91 lower limbs presented acute DVT (7.7%), and 490 lower limbs presented PTS (42%). The endovascular technical success rate of stenting did not differ in any of the groups: 99.6% in NIVL, 94.5% in acute DVT, and 96.5% in PTS (P = .0632). The primary stent patency rates in the 6-month follow-up were 98.3% in NIVL vs 90.9% in PTS, with a statistical difference showing reduced stent patency rates in PTS (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.48; P = .0008; I2 = 0%), and 100% in the NIVL group vs 91.6% in acute DVT, with no statistical difference (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.06-2.32; P = .30; I2 = 0%). The primary stent patency rates in the 12-month follow-up were 94.6% in NIVL vs 84.1% in PTS, with a statistical difference showing decreases stent patency rates in the PTS group (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.63; P = .0008; I2 = 0%), and 91.1% in NIVL vs 90.9% in acute DVT, with no statistical difference (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.26-4.07; P = .96; I2 = 0%). Conclusions There is no statistical difference for the stent primary patency rates when the treatment is conducted in NIVL as compared with acute DVT lower limbs (at 6 and 12 months); therefore, other criteria must be considered for the indication of this treatment in NIVL patients. However, because there were better results of stent primary patency rates for NIVL vs PTS patients, this finding favors the treatment of acute DVT instead of PTS in lower limbs, once PTS renders smaller stent patency rates at 6 and 12 months.

Objective The specific anatomic characteristics of the iliac veins are often important reasons for stent failure. However, to the best of our knowledge, the inherent angles and configurations of the iliac veins have not been thoroughly studied. Methods Fifty patients without venous diseases who had undergone computed tomography urography for diagnosis of urolithiasis were included in this study. The pathways of the iliac veins were mapped out, and the major angles were measured. The factors associated with steep angles were also evaluated. Results There were two relatively constant angles on the right side and three on the left side along the common femoral vein, external iliac vein, and common iliac vein. All these were measured with the patients in the supine position. The angles at the inguinal region (γ) and internal-external iliac vein confluence (β) were at similar sites for both sides. There was a third angle in front of the fifth vertebra for the left side (α). The γ angle was 125.03 ± 11.68 degrees for the right side and 122.26 ± 9.64 degrees for the left side. The β angle was 136.91 ± 14.24 degrees for the right side and 125.61 ± 20.76 degrees for the left side. According to the β angle of the left side, the iliac veins could be categorized into three types. For type I, the angle was >150 degrees (14% [7/50]). For type II, it was 120 to 150 degrees (50% [25/50]). For type III, it was ≤120 degrees (36% [18/50]). The angles between the anterior border of the fifth vertebra and pelvic inlet plane (0.866; 95% confidence interval, 0.777-0.966) and age (1.087; 95% confidence interval, 1.004-1.177) were related to type III configurations on multilogistic regression analysis. Conclusions There were several relatively constant angles along the pathway of the iliac veins. The pathway of the left side was more complex than that of the right side. This difference in the angles might be related to the patients' age and bone structures. These angles should be considered in planning iliac vein stenting as well as in designing stents specifically for the iliac veins.

Objective To identify factors associated with venous stent thrombosis in patients with cancer treated for nonthrombotic iliocaval or iliofemoral venous obstruction. Methods We performed a retrospective review of relevant imaging and medical records from 30 consecutive patients with cancer treated at a single center who underwent venous stent placement for nonthrombotic iliocaval or iliofemoral venous obstruction between 2008 and 2018. Follow-up imaging was used to assess stent patency. Variables examined included patient demographics, cancer type, stent characteristics, anticoagulant, and antiplatelet medications and complications of treatment. Results Overall primary stent patency was 83% (25/30). The median follow-up period was 44 days (range, 3-365 days). Ten percent of patients occluded owing to in-stent thrombosis and 7% owing to tumor compression of the stent without thrombosis. Therapeutic poststent anticoagulation with enoxaparin, warfarin, or a factor Xa inhibitor was initiated in 87% of the patients. Stent thrombosis occurred in one patient in the anticoagulation group (4%) at 50 days. Stent thrombosis occurred in two patients in the nonanticoagulation group (50%), one at 9 days and the other at 91 days. Anticoagulation was found to be protective against stent thrombosis in this population (hazard ratio, 0.015; P = .011). No statistically significant associations were found among the remaining variables. One patient in the anticoagulation group experienced major bleeding (1/26 [4%]). Conclusions Iliocaval and iliofemoral stent placement for nonthrombotic malignant venous obstruction is safe with favorable primary patency rates. Therapeutic anticoagulation is associated with less stent thrombosis in patients with cancer stented for nonthrombotic iliocaval and iliofemoral venous obstruction.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) in treating acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT).We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 82 acute iliofemoral DVT patients between November 2017 and December 2018. The therapeutic effects were evaluated based on the thrombus removal rate and circumference changes 10 cm above the affected knee. Incidence rates of pulmonary embolism were evaluated to determine the safety of the procedure. During follow-up, the incidence of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) was evaluated using the Villalta score, whereas the patency rate of the iliac vein was evaluated via duplex ultrasonography and venography.The surgical success rate was 100%. We identified 48 patients with iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) intraoperatively: three of these underwent stent implantation and the others underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Grade II and III thrombus removal was achieved in 32.9% (27/82) and 67.1% (55/82) patients, respectively. Postoperative venography revealed that four patients had many floating thrombi under their inferior vena cava filters, which were not removed. The circumference 10 cm above the affected knee decreased from 50.3 ± 3.5 cm preoperatively to 46.3 ± 3.3 cm postoperatively (P 0.05). During follow-up, a PTS incidence rate of 9.8% was observed. The patency rate of the iliac vein was 66.6% after stent implantation and 93.3% after PTA.PMT is feasible, safe, and effective for acute iliofemoral DVT. With regard to IVCS, we suggest PTA alone as a one-stage surgery, and the need of secondary stent implantation should be determined based on follow-up results.

Objective To retrospectively evaluate the performance of two commonly used Doppler ultrasound parameters, namely, venous flow phasicity and response to Valsalva maneuver, in detecting iliocaval obstruction. Methods All imaging studies of patients seen by interventional radiology for lower extremity venous disease at a single institution from 1996 to 2018 were retrospectively identified. Lower extremity ultrasounds with a concurrent magnetic resonance, computed tomography, or conventional venogram performed within the next 7 days, which served as gold standard, were further identified (n = 192 examinations, including 313 limbs). Iliocaval obstruction were assessed by two ultrasound criteria: (1) nonphasic flow and/or (2) nonresponsive flow to Valsalva in the common femoral vein. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) for diagnosing iliocaval obstruction were calculated for each ultrasound criterion, and also for when the two criteria were assessed jointly. Results Of the 313 limbs assessed for venous flow phasicity, 133 (42.5%) had an iliocaval obstruction confirmed on subsequent venography. Nonphasic flow demonstrated a sensitivity of 69.2%, specificity of 82.8%, NPV of 78.4%, and PPV of 74.8% for diagnosing iliocaval obstruction. Of the 212 limbs assessed for Valsalva response, 88 (41.5%) had a confirmed iliocaval obstruction. Nonresponsive flow to Valsalva demonstrated a sensitivity of 13.6%, specificity of 97.6%, NPV of 61.6%, and PPV of 80.0% for diagnosing iliocaval obstruction. Joint assessment using phasicity and Valsalva criteria demonstrated a sensitivity of 68.2%, specificity of 87.2%, NPV of 79.6%, and PPV of 78.9%. Conclusions In this tertiary care setting, Doppler ultrasound examination was not a reliable diagnostic tool for detecting iliocaval obstruction.

Objective The objective of this study was to characterize the average maximum diameters of widely patent lower extremity vein segments in patients with underlying venous disease and the demographic factors that affect these diameters. Methods Maximum axial diameters of each deep vein segment from the diaphragm to the knee were measured from computed tomography venography studies for all patients who underwent venous stent placement during a 20-year period at a single quaternary venous referral institution. Limbs containing only widely patent, unstented vein segments without variant anatomy were identified for inclusion. The final analysis involved diameter measurements from 870 imaging studies of 266 patients. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify factors associated with vein segment diameters. Results Average vein segment diameters ranged from 7.8 mm for the left and right femoral veins to 27.9 mm for the long axis of the suprarenal inferior vena cava. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that women had larger IVC, common iliac vein, and external iliac vein diameters, whereas men had larger common femoral veins. Laterality, height, weight, and sex also had statistically significant associations with the diameters of select vein segments. Conclusions This study provides an estimate of the average diameters of widely patent deep vein segments in the lower extremities from the diaphragm to the knees in patients with underlying venous disease and characterizes covariates that significantly affect vein diameter. These findings may help interventionalists better select devices for endovascular intervention.

Purpose To characterize the Poisson effect in response to angioplasty and stent placement in veins and identify potential implications for guiding future venous-specific device design. Materials and Methods In vivo angioplasty and stent placement were performed in 3 adult swine by using an established venous stenosis model. Iron particle endothelium labeling was performed for real-time fluoroscopic tracking of the vessel wall during intervention. A finite-element computational model of a vessel was created with ADINA software (version 9.5) with arterial and venous biomechanical properties obtained from the literature to compare the response to radial expansion. Results In vivo angioplasty and stent placement in a venous stenosis animal model with iron particle endothelium labeling demonstrated longitudinal foreshortening that correlated with distance from the center of the balloon (R2 = 0.87) as well as adjacent segment narrowing that correlated with the increase in diameter of the treated stenotic segment (R2 = 0.89). Finite-element computational analysis demonstrated increased Poisson effect in veins relative to arteries (linear regression coefficient slope comparison, arterial slope 0.033, R2 = 0.9789; venous slope 0.204, R2 = 0.9975; P Conclusions Clinically observed adjacent segment narrowing during venous angioplasty and stent placement is a result of the Poisson effect, with redistribution of radially applied force to the longitudinal direction. The Poisson effect is increased in veins relative to arteries as a result of unique venous biomechanical properties, which may be relevant to consider in the design of future venous interventional devices.

Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency secondary to obstructive iliofemoral disease are often bilateral. The impact of iliofemoral stenting of the more symptomatic lower extremity on clinical outcomes in the less affected contralateral extremity is not clear. Such benefit, secondary to offloading of collaterals, may potentially be of the magnitude that the contralateral extremity does not require intervention.A retrospective review of contemporaneously entered electronic medical record data of 368 patients/limbs with initial unilateral iliocaval stents (240 left and 128 right) placed during a 3-year period from 2015 to 2017 was performed. Patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral stenting or had occlusive disease were excluded. Of the remainder, the impact of stenting on contralateral leg symptoms was evaluated by analyzing visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (1-10), grade of swelling (1-3), and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). The duration of any improvement and need for intervention on the contralateral side were also appraised. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess stent patency after intervention, whereas paired t-tests were used to examine clinical outcomes.Of the 368 limbs that underwent stenting with a combination of a Wallstent (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Mass) with a Z stent (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) for stenotic lesions, 304 patients (89 men and 215 women) had contralateral symptoms (200 left and 104 right). The cause was post-thrombotic syndrome in 229 limbs and May-Thurner syndrome or nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion in 75 limbs. In this contralateral group, at 12 months, the VAS pain score improved from 5 to 0 (P .0001), the grade of swelling went from 3 to 1 (P .0001), and VCSS went from 5 to 3 (P .0001) after stenting of the ipsilateral side. During the median follow-up of 20 months, 15 contralateral limbs underwent stenting. Median time to stenting of the contralateral limb after ipsilateral stenting was 9 months. The median VAS pain score, grade of swelling, and VCSS in this group before stenting were 6.5, 2, and 5 compared with 0 (P .0001), 1 (P = .27), and 3 (P = .0021), respectively, in those members of the contralateral group who did not require stenting. Primary and primary assisted patencies at 12 months after contralateral stenting were 78% and 100%, respectively. There were no stent occlusions after contralateral stenting.Patients with bilateral obstructive iliofemoral venous lesions often experience improvement of the contralateral limb symptoms (95%) after stenting of the worse ipsilateral limb. Only 15 of 304 (5%) symptomatic contralateral limbs had to undergo stenting during the follow-up period because of a worsening clinical picture. Based on this, a staged approach to iliofemoral stenting in patients with bilateral symptoms focusing initially on the more symptomatic limb is suggested.

Objective The purpose of this comprehensive review is to give a historical account of iliac vein compression and to analyse the pathophysiological aspects and their clinical implications. Methods An extensive search of the databases was performed from inception until 2019. The patterns, length and site of compression, wall and luminal changes, and anatomical variations were some of the factors recorded and analysed. Results Twenty-seven studies were included in this review, divided into cadaveric, histological, and imaging. According to the literature 22%–32% of the asymptomatic population shows “spurs” at the origin of the left common iliac vein (LCIV). Imaging studies also show the presence of direct and indirect compression signs such as the presence of collateral venous flow in axial, transpelvic, or ascending lumbar collaterals, and >50% compression in 37%–44% of the asymptomatic population. In patients without thrombosis it is unknown what produces the signs and symptoms, as the obstruction pre-exists their development. Haemodynamic evaluation is found in only a few studies often including patients with previous deep vein thrombosis. Furthermore, most of the tests are performed with the patient in the supine position and therefore the haemodynamic information is relatively poor. Conclusion Patients with venous obstruction have various clinical presentations from being asymptomatic to having venous claudication and skin damage. Obstruction should be placed into clinical context, together with other contributing factors. Proper evaluation and clinical judgement are important in selecting patients for treatment. Given that such selection is not always clear, further work is needed.

Chronic post-thrombotic occlusion of the iliofemoral veins causes significant morbidity, which can be alleviated if venous drainage is restored. We report our technique of surgical endophlebectomy and patchplasty of the common femoral vein (CFV) in conjunction with iliac vein stenting to restore venous flow from the infrainguinal venous system to the vena cava.There were 157 patients who underwent CFV endophlebectomy combined with iliocaval recanalization. Questionnaires were completed both preoperatively and postoperatively to allow comparison. These included the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology clinical classification; the Venous Clinical Severity Score; the Villalta scale; the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study on Quality of Life/Symptoms; and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey quality of life questionnaire.Mean follow-up duration was 14.4 ± 2.9 months (range, 10-29 months). The mean preoperative Venous Clinical Severity Score was 15.3 ± 2.2, and this fell to 6.1 ± 1.8 after treatment (P .001). The mean preoperative Villalta score dropped from 12.7 ± 2.6 to 6.3 ± 1.4 (P .001). The quality of life and symptom severity scores were improved after 3 months by 17.2 points for quality of life (P .001) and 20.5 points for symptom severity (P .001). Primary patency was 81% (124/153) and secondary patency was 89.5% (137/153) at 12 months. Wound complications related to groin incision and lymphatic fistulas were observed in 22.8% (35/153) and 28.7% (44/153), respectively.The hybrid operation of CFV endophlebectomy in conjunction with iliac vein recanalization should be considered a safe and effective treatment option in patients with severe post-thrombotic syndrome and iliofemoral veno-occlusive disease.

Introduction Iliocaval leiomyosarcoma (ICLM) is a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma within the retroperitoneum. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, with no consensus on the benefit of chemoradiotherapy in the neo/adjuvant setting. This study aims to describe the natural history of a chemotherapy-naive ICLM treated in a tertiary cancer centre and to explore potential directions to improve oncological outcome. Materials and methods A prospective database was used to identify patient demographics, clinicopathological variables and oncological outcomes in 30 patients who underwent surgical resection in our institution for primary non-metastatic ICLM between 2003 and 2018. Results There was no 90-day mortality. With a median follow-up time of 70.0 months (95% CI 52.6–87.4), 5/30 patients (16.7%) developed local recurrence while 11/30 (36.7%) developed distant metastatic disease. 1 patient (3.3%) developed both local and distant recurrence. Median overall survival of our cohort was 41.0 months (95% CI 33.6–48.4) and 5-year overall survival rate was 32.1%. Multivariate survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model identified tumour grade and blood loss of more than 600 mL as key prognostic factors in our model. Conclusion Management of ICLM should be centralised in high-volume sarcoma centres with expertise in the management of retroperitoneal sarcomas. Integration of tumour biology with a concerted effort to conduct conclusive multi-centre phase III in histological and molecularly defined sarcoma subgroups is necessary to improve patient outcome. We eagerly await the results of STRASS 2 study to gain more insights to the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on patient prognosis.

Background Surgical embolectomy and thrombolytic therapy are two common approaches for the treatment of large intra-cardiac or intravascular thrombi to prevent new or worsening pulmonary embolism (PE). Considering high operative mortality with surgical embolectomy and high bleeding risk with thrombolytic therapy, patients who are poor candidates for these treatments may benefit from percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy/Vacuum-assisted thrombectomy (VAT). AngioVac aspiration system was granted 510(k) clearance by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2009. We present a case series to describe its use and outcomes in evacuating large caval thrombi or intracardiac masses. Methods We did a retrospective analysis of AngioVac catheter based thrombectomy in 16 consecutive patients treated between January 2016 and January 2019 to report case characteristics and in-hospital clinical outcomes. Results Sixteen patients (mean age 48) underwent 16 AngioVac procedures over 48 months. Indications included intracardiac mass (68.8%), caval thrombus (56.3%), and catheter associated thrombus (43.8%). 7 (43.8%) patients had concurrent PE. Peri-procedure mortality was 0% and in-hospital mortality was 12.5% at a mean follow-up of 14 days. There were no pulmonary hemorrhages, strokes or myocardial infarctions. 62.5% had a significant drop in hemoglobin, which required a blood transfusion but there was no episode of overt bleeding. Conclusion The AngioVac aspiration system has been shown to be effective at aspirating large volumes of intravascular and intracardiac thrombus. It is a reasonable alternative to surgical thrombectomy in patients with large central thrombi or masses in-transit who are at risk of complicated PE.

Purpose This study evaluated the factors affecting contralateral and ipsilateral recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after iliac vein stent placement in patients with iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS). Materials and Methods Data from 130 patients (95 female patients) who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis and stent placement for IVCS with left lower leg thrombosis at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed. Mean patient age was 69.0 ± 14.0 years old. Median follow-up was 14 months (range, 3–164 months). Anticoagulation therapy was prescribed for 6 months, followed by lifelong antiplatelet therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors affecting the development of contralateral and ipsilateral recurrent DVT. Results Seven patients (5.4%) developed contralateral DVT (median, 26 months; range, 2–61 months), and 11 patients (8.5%) developed ipsilateral DVT (median, 1 month; range, 0–53 months). Stent location (odds ratio [OR], 11.564; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.159–115.417) and in-stent thrombosis during follow-up (OR, 15.142; 95% CI, 1.406–163.119) were predictors of recurrent contralateral DVT. Thrombophilia (OR, 47.560; 95% CI, 2.369–954.711), remaining inferior vena cava filter (OR, 30.552; 95% CI, 3.495–267.122), and in-stent thrombosis during follow-up (OR, 82.057; 95% CI, 2.915–2309.848) were predictors of ipsilateral DVT. Conclusions Contralateral DVT occurs late and is associated with extension of the iliac vein stent to the inferior vena cava and in-stent thrombosis. Ipsilateral DVT occurs relatively early and is associated with thrombophilia, remaining inferior vena cava filter, and in-stent thrombosis.

Objective Although correction of iliac vein stenosis is safe and efficacious, one of its major complications is iliac vein stent thrombosis. In an attempt to examine the cause of iliac vein stent thrombosis, we reviewed the location of underlying lesions encountered after thrombectomy or thrombolysis of iliac vein stents. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of all iliac vein venograms with intravascular ultrasound examinations at our office-based surgical center from February 2012 to July 2016. Patients included in the study had chronic venous insufficiency and failed compression therapy. All procedures were performed with local anesthesia and conscious sedation. Wallstents were used in all procedures for nonthrombotic iliac vein stenosis, ranging from 8 to 24 mm in diameter and 40 to 90 mm in length. Patients were followed with transcutaneous duplex every 3 months for the first year and every 6 to 12 months thereafter. Patients were placed on clopidogrel for 3 months or continued on their preexisting anticoagulants. Results From February 2012 to July 2016, we performed 2228 iliac vein venograms with intravascular ultrasound examination in 1381 patients. The mean age of the patient population was 65 ±14 years (range, 21-99 years), among which 876 were female. A total of 1037 procedures were performed in the left lower extremity. Of these, 240 venograms were diagnostic. Presenting symptoms based on CEAP classification included C2 (n = 21), C3 (n = 633), C4 (n = 1065), C5 (n = 269), and C6 (n = 241). Complete thrombosis of the iliac vein stent was noted in 18 patients (0.8%) who thereafter underwent suction thrombectomy with thrombolysis. None of these patients had a prior history of deep vein thrombosis. In-stent restenosis was noted in 11 patients. Proximal lesions were found in no patients. An external iliac vein lesion was found distal to the common iliac vein stent in two patients. Common femoral vein lesions were found in six patients. These encountered lesions were then stented. All patients who underwent thrombectomy were placed on anticoagulation for 6 months. No patient were noted to suffer rethrombosis upon follow-up. No correlation with stent thrombosis was encountered for age, gender, laterality, location, presenting symptoms, or length or diameter of the stent. Conclusions Based on our experience, in-stent restenosis followed by inflow lesions in the common femoral vein are the most common causes of stent thrombosis. These data suggest a need for future research to target these areas.

Objective Proximal venous outflow obstruction (PVOO) in the iliac veins and superficial venous disease are inter-related in ways not fully understood. We observed among our patients undergoing vein stent placement for PVOO a significant number having had prior endovenous thermal ablations (EVTA) in their history. This study was undertaken to better characterize these patients and develop an algorithm in their management. Methods In a combined retrospective and prospective data registry of 682 patients who underwent vein stent placement for chronic PVOO at a single institution from March 2013 to November 2017, 100 limbs of 99 patients (14.5% of all patients) had a history of EVTA or other superficial venous procedures before their vein stenting. Limbs with dilated truncal veins on ultrasound examination or limbs that underwent poststent EVTA or superficial venous procedures were excluded. The mean age of these 99 patients was 60.2 years (range, 28-88 years; standard deviation, 13.855). Fifty-one percent of the patients were male. The most common presenting symptom of the patient cohort was edema (n = 59), followed by venous-related skin changes (n = 22). Results Bilateral stents were performed in 58%, with a mean number of 2.06 stents per patient. EVTA was the primary superficial vein procedure in 97%. Bilateral EVTA were performed in 53% and unilateral EVTA in 47%. The mean time between the first EVTA to vein stenting was 1202.7 days. Patients were followed at 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, 1 year, and >1 year. The outcome for each patient at each postoperative visit was compared with preoperative parameters (subject's assessment, physical examination, and provider assessment) and was scored as follows: -1 (worse than preoperative), 0 (no change), +1 (mildly improved), +2 (significantly improved), or +3 (completely recovered). The mean outcome score at 30 days was 1.63 (84 patients), 2.05 at 90 days (62 patients), 2.09 at 6 months (74 patients), 1.93 at 1 year (54 patients), and 1.97 at >1 year (39 patients). Conclusions Approximately 15% of patients undergoing vein stent placement for chronic PVOO have an antecedent history of superficial venous disease and EVTA. PVOO should be considered and the patient evaluated accordingly if symptoms persisted or recurred after EVTA. Vein stent placement among these patients with PVOO will result in further symptomatic relief, but complete symptomatic relief is not observed in everyone. The algorithm for the management of these patients warrants further investigation.

There is an inter-relationship between thrombosis and inflammation. Previously, we have shown the importance of P-selectin in thrombogenesis and thrombus resolution in many preclinical animal models. The role of E-selectin has been explored in rodent models and in a small pilot study of clinical calf vein deep venous thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of E-selectin in thrombosis in a primate model of proximal iliac vein thrombosis, a model close to the human condition.Iliac vein thrombosis was induced with a well-characterized primate model. Through a transplant incision, the hypogastric vein and iliac vein branches were ligated. Thrombus was induced by balloon occlusion of the proximal and distal iliac vein for 6 hours. The balloons were then deflated, and the primates recovered. Starting on postocclusion day 2, animals were treated with the E-selectin inhibitor GMI-1271, 25 mg/kg subcutaneously, once daily until day 21 (n = 4). Nontreated control animals received no treatment (n = 5). All animals were evaluated by magnetic resonance venography (MRV); evaluation of vessel area by ultrasound, protein analysis, hematology (complete blood count), and coagulation tests (bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and thromboelastography) were performed at baseline, day 2, day 7, day 14, and day 21 with euthanasia. In addition, platelet function and CD44 expression on leukocytes were determined.E-selectin inhibition by GMI-1271 significantly increased vein recanalization by MRV vs control animals on day 14 (P .05) and day 21 (P .0001). GMI-1271 significantly decreased vein wall inflammation by MRV with gadolinium vein wall enhancement vs control also on day 14 (P .0001) and day 21 (P .0001). The thromboelastographic measure of clot strength (maximum amplitude) showed significant decreases in animals treated with GMI-1271 vs controls at day 2 (P .05) and day 7 (P .05). Animals treated with GMI-1271 had significant vessel area increase by day 21 vs controls (P .05) by ultrasound. Vein wall intimal thickening (P .001) and intimal fibrosis (P .05) scores were significantly decreased in GMI-1271-treated animals vs controls. Importantly, no significant differences in hematology or coagulation test results were noted between all groups, suggesting that E-selectin inhibition carries no bleeding potential. GMI-1271 did not affect platelet function or aggregation or CD44 expression on leukocytes. In addition, no episodes of bleeding were noted in either group.This study suggests that E-selectin modulates venous thrombus progression and that its inhibition will increase thrombus recanalization and decrease vein wall inflammation, without affecting coagulation. The use of an E-selectin inhibitor such as GMI-1271 could potentially change how we treat deep venous thrombosis.

The diagnosis and treatment of pelvic venous disease is complicated by a number of potential venous anatomic variants. Stent-assisted recanalization of a chronically occluded left external iliac vein draining directly into the inferior vena cava, with absence of the left common iliac vein, is described here. Variant iliac venous anatomy is reviewed in 3 categories: additional iliac vessels, absence/shortening of iliac vessels, and deviations in the drainage pattern of iliac vessels. Additionally, variations of the ascending lumbar and iliolumbar veins, the identification of which can aid in the treatment of pelvic venous disease, are described.

Purpose An automated segmentation technique (AST) for computed tomography (CT) venography was developed to quantify measures of disease severity before and after stent placement in patients with left-sided nonthrombotic iliac vein compression. Materials and Methods Twenty-one patients with left-sided nonthrombotic iliac vein compression who underwent venous stent placement were retrospectively identified. Pre- and poststent CT venography studies were quantitatively analyzed using an AST to determine leg volume, skin thickness, and water content of fat. These measures were compared between diseased and nondiseased limbs and between pre- and poststent images, using patients as their own controls. Additionally, patients with and without postthrombotic lesions were compared. Results The AST detected significantly increased leg volume (12,437 cm3 vs 10,748 cm3, P Conclusions ASTs can be used to quantify measures of disease severity and postintervention changes on CT venography for patients with lower extremity venous disease. Further investigation may clarify the clinical benefit of such technologies.

This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with stent placement in the management of iliac vein compression syndrome with acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT).From December 2014 to April 2016, there were 46 patients with DVT who underwent percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis and stenting for acute proximal DVT with computed tomography-verified iliofemoral stenosis. The Venous Registry Index was used for evaluating the degree of patency after pharmacomechanical thrombolysis; the prevalence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in the follow-up was assessed according to the Villalta scale. For up to 24 months, conditions of the patients were assessed using periodic duplex ultrasound scans.For all patients, the technical success rate was 100%; no major bleeding or 30-day mortality was observed. Overall, the 6-, 12-, and 24-month primary patency rates were 97.8%, 95.7%, and 91.1%, respectively. There was a significant reduction in Venous Registry Index (9.82 ± 1.74 to 1.15 ± 1.02; P .05) after the procedure. According to the Villalta score, only one patient developed mild PTS and none developed severe PTS. Symptomatic pulmonary embolism was not observed during the hospitalization. The mean hospital stay was 6.5 ± 1.7 days.This technique provides a safe and effective treatment option for patients with acute proximal DVT caused by vein compression syndrome.

Endovascular stenting of the deep venous system is increasingly used to treat stenotic and occluded veins. This article reviews the efficacy and safety of venous stenting for lower extremity occlusive disease.The Ovid portal was used to search the MEDLINE database for English-language randomized controlled trials and case series published between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2018, involving venous stenting for lower extremity and inferior venacaval occlusive and compressive disease. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they contained at least 30 patients with at least 6 months of follow-up. Clinical outcomes, long-term patency, complications, and postoperative anticoagulation regimens were reviewed. Also included are nationally presented trial results of dedicated venous stents that may not have been formally published yet.Relevant studies were too heterogeneous for a formal meta-analysis to be performed. We analyzed 3812 stented limbs from 23 published studies and two national presentations. Dedicated venous stents were used in 740 patients, and standard stents were used in 3072 patients. The overall major complication rate was 1%. Median symptomatic improvement and ulcer healing were seen in 79% and 71% of the standard stented limbs, respectively. For standard stents, the median primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates were 71%, 89%, and 91%, respectively, with a median study follow-up of 23.5 months. Dedicated venous stents had an overall primary patency of 78.8% at 12 months, with lower patency (73%) seen in post-thrombotic vs compressive (96%) disease.Whereas the quality of evidence remains weak, iliocaval venous stenting appears to be a safe and effective treatment of chronic venous disease. In early results, dedicated venous stents appear safe and demonstrate results that are as good as or better than those of historically used devices.

Endovenous stent placement has become a first-line approach to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with chronic post-thrombotic obstruction (PTO) or nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions if conservative management fails. This study aims to identify factors associated with loss of patency to facilitate patient selection for endovenous stenting.We retrospectively analyzed 108 consecutive patients after successful endovenous stenting for chronic vein obstruction performed at a single institution from January 2008 to July 2020. Using multivariable logistic regression, we explored potential predictive factors for loss of stent patency, including baseline demographics, post-thrombotic changes, and peak flow velocities measured in the common femoral vein (CFV), deep femoral vein, and femoral vein (FV) using duplex ultrasound examination.The mean follow-up duration was 41 ± 26 months, and participants had a mean age of 47.4 ± 15.4 years with 46.3% women. Ninety (83.3%) patients had PTO and 18 (16.7%) had nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions, predominantly due to May-Thurner syndrome. Loss of patency occurred in 20 (18.5%) patients, all treated for PTO. Comorbidities, side of intervention, and sex did not differ between patients with occluded and patent stents. Stent occlusion was more common with increasing number of stents implanted (P .001) and with distal stent extension into and beyond the CFV (P .001). Preinterventional predictive factors for stent occlusion were lower duplex ultrasound peak velocity in the CFV (odds ratio [OR]: 7.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.54-22.28; P .001) and FV (OR: 10.75, 95% CI: 2.07-55.82; P .005), and post-thrombotic changes in the deep femoral vein (OR: 4.51, 95% CI: 1.53-13.25; P = .006) and FV (OR: 3.62: 95% CI: 1.11-11.84; P = .033). Peak velocities of ≤7 cm/s (interquartile range: 0-20 cm/s) in the CVF and ≤8 cm/s (interquartile range: 5-10 cm/s) in the FV were significantly associated with loss of patency.Insufficient venous inflow as assessed by low peak velocities in the CFV and FV as well as post-thrombotic findings represent reliable risk predictors for stent occlusions, warranting their inclusion into the decision-making process for invasive treatment of PTO.

Iliofemoral venous stenting has become the standard of care for patients presenting with quality-of-life impairing symptoms of chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction not responding to conservative measures. This has led to an increased use of venous stenting over the last several years. However, iliofemoral venous anatomy in patients requiring such intervention remains poorly elucidated. This study attempts to fill that gap.Twenty-two consecutive patients with intravascular ultrasound examination-confirmed chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction underwent three-dimensional reconstruction of their computed tomography venogram images. Relevant angles, tortuosity (tort index-ratio between centerline length, and straight line length), lengths, and diameters were computed and analyzed. We used t tests for comparisons between the right and left sides. A P value of .05 or less was considered significant.Of the angles calculated, the median of the angles between the horizontal and common iliac vein (CIV) was 66° on the right and 60° on the left (P .01). The median inferior vena cava-CIV angle was 172° on the right and 165° on the left (P .0001). The CIV-EIV angle was 159° on the right and 151° on the L (P = .01). Overall, the median tortuosity was 1.07 on the right and 1.12 on the left (P = .007). The median centerline length of the CIV was 42mm on the right and 60mm on the left (P .0001). The median external iliac vein length was 73 mm on the right and 88 mm on the left (P .0001). The overall median iliac vein length was 220 mm on the right and 237 mm on the left (P .01). The median diameters of the inferior vena cava at the iliocaval confluence, 20, 40, and 60 mm cranial to the confluence, were 23, 20, 22, and 23 mm, respectively.Overall, the left side has steeper angles, greater tortuosity, and longer lengths than the right side. These disparities should be considered during femoroiliocaval stent construction.

To identify the baseline patient characteristics that predict who will benefit from pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT) of acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT).In the Acute Venous Thrombosis: Thrombus Removal with Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis (ATTRACT) multicenter randomized trial, 381 patients with acute iliofemoral DVT underwent PCDT and anticoagulation or anticoagulation alone. The correlations between baseline factors and venous clinical outcomes were evaluated over 24 months using post hoc regression analyses. Interaction terms were examined to evaluate for differential effects by treatment arm.Patients with clinically severe DVT (higher baseline Villalta score) experienced greater effects of PCDT in improving 24-month venous outcomes, including moderate or severe postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs] per unit increase in the baseline Villalta scores were as follows: for PCDT, OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.01-1.15]; for control, OR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.12-1.29]; PIn patients with acute iliofemoral DVT, greater presenting clinical severity (higher baseline Villalta score) and a history of previous DVT predict enhanced benefits from PCDT.

The diagnosis of chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction (CIVO) can be made with several different modalities. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination is the gold standard in the diagnosis of CIVO. However, being invasive, it should not be the initial examination to screen patients with CIVO. The aim of this report is to compare the performance of magnetic resonance venography (MRV) with IVUS examination in the diagnosis of CIVO.From January 2016 to December 2020, the records of all patients who underwent preoperative MRV and then IVUS in the evaluation of CIVO were analyzed retrospectively.There were 505 patients who were evaluated by any modality for CIVO. Of these patients, 15% (78) were evaluated by MRV. Patients who had failed a trial of conservative therapy for at least 3 to 6 months and who had disabling and lifestyle-limiting symptoms of CIVO were selected to undergo further evaluation with MRV at the treating physician's discretion. For inclusion in analysis, technically satisfactory IVUS examination and MRV data were mandatory. Data was available for 60 common iliac vein (CIV) segments and 61 external iliac vein (EIV) segments for comparative analysis after appropriate exclusions. The mean age of the patients was 56 ± 15 years. The male to female ratio was 1:2. The distribution of patients across different CEAP classes was as follows: CEAP 3, 28%; CEAP 4, 62%; CEAP 5, 2%; and CEAP 6, 8%. Bland-Altman plots of the mean difference in area between IVUS examination and MRI were 74.1% for CIV and 56.9% for EIV. The sensitivity of MRV was 93% and 100%, and the specificity was 0% and 50% for CIV and EIV, respectively. The positive predictive value was 93% and 86%; the negative predictive value was 0 and 50% for CIV and EIV, respectively. Improvement was noted in clinical parameters (Venous Clinical Severity Score, visual analog pain scale, and grade of swelling) after IVUS examination and stenting after MRV. For the Venous Clinical Severity Score, the score improved from 6.0 ± 2.7 (before the procedure) to 4 ± 2.7 (after the procedure) (P = .0001).There is dimensional disparity between MRV and IVUS examination in the diagnosis of symptomatic CIVO. MRV has a high sensitivity but low specificity when compared with IVUS examination and overestimates the severity of the stenosis in both the EIV and CIV. MRV is not a reliable diagnostic tool for iliac vein stenosis and should not be used for the definitive disposition of patients with CIVO.

Stent migration is a rare event with potentially serious complications including cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. We report a case of migration of arterial stent placed in the right iliac vein into the right pulmonary artery; it was diagnosed there and subsequently not removed for at least 3 years. Despite reports in the literature for the removal of migrated stents by minimally invasive interventional methods, in our case, that was not possible because of the long period during which the foreign body was in the right pulmonary artery and the proximal partial occlusion of organized mural thrombus.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion has been shown to be a safe and cost-effective treatment for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with increased stroke and bleeding risk. Venous system might be occluded from prior procedures or have structural abnormalities. Herein, we present a successful WATCHMAN device implantation in a patient with inferior vena cava filter thrombosis and iliac vein occlusions.