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Objectives Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) is underutilized in the evaluation of thrombus properties prior to endovascular treatment but may improve procedural outcomes. We therefore investigated the clinical impact of using a dedicated MRV scoring system to assess thrombus characteristics prior to endovascular intervention for iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Methods This is a post hoc analysis of data from the CAVA trial (Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT00970619). MRV studies of patients receiving ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for iliofemoral DVT were reviewed. Thrombus age-related imaging characteristics were scored and translated into an overall score (acute, subacute, or old). MRV scores were compared to patient-reported complaints. MRV-scored groups were compared for CDT duration and success rate. Results Fifty-six patients (29 men; age 50.8 ± 16.4 years) were included. Using MRV, 27 thrombi were classified acute, 17 subacute, and 12 old. Based on patient-reported complaints, 11 (91.7%) of these old thrombi would have been categorized acute or subacute, and one (3.7%) of the acute thrombi as old. Average duration of CDT to > 90% restored patency differed significantly between groups (p < 0.0001): average duration was 23 h for acute thromboses (range: 19–25), 43 h for subacute (range: 41–62), and 85 h for old thromboses (range: 74–96). CDT was almost eleven times more successful in thromboses characterized as acute and subacute compared to old thromboses (OR: 10.7; 95% CI 2.1–55.5). Conclusion A dedicated MRV scoring system can safely discriminate between acute, subacute, and old thromboses. MRV-based selection is predictive of procedural duration and success rate and can help avoid unnecessary complications. Key Points • Thrombus age, characterized by MRV as acute, subacute, and old, can predict CDT duration and probability of success. • Accurate pre-interventional MRV-based thrombus aging has the potential to facilitate identification of eligible patients and may thus prevent CDT-related complications.

Introduction Acute thrombus removal therapies may reduce post-thrombotic syndrome in certain deep venous thrombosis patients. The LET classification is designed to identify patients at high risk for developing post-thrombotic syndrome in the acute phase using thrombus location and extent. This study evaluates the use of the LET classification to predict post-thrombotic syndrome in a cohort of patients after deep venous thrombosis. Methods A cohort of 660 deep venous thrombosis patients was invited to participate and fill out a questionnaire with Quality of life questionnaires, basic information, a modified self-assessment version of the Villalta scale for post-thrombotic syndrome and potential confounders. Original data on thrombus extension was available, and the LET classes were determined. Obtained information was analysed using ANOVA and in a multiple logistic regression model to correct for confounders. All different LET classes were compared to post-thrombotic syndrome occurrence, post-thrombotic syndrome prediction and disease specific quality of life scores (VEINES-Sym/Qol). Results Three hundred and fifteen patients responded, and in 309 a post-thrombotic syndrome score was distilled. LET I,II,III ( n = 63) had an odds ratio of 3.4(1.2–9.2) for predicting severe post-thrombotic syndrome, and LET II ( n = 17) had an odds ratio of 5.1(1.3–20.8) compared to LET class I ( n = 97). Both the VEINES-Sym and VEINES-Qol score were significantly lower for LET I,II,III compared to LET I, and LET II compared to LET I. Conclusion The LET classification can be used to classify patients according to acute thrombus location and extent. Extensive and centrally located (LET I,II,III) deep venous thrombosis showed the highest probability in developing severe post-thrombotic syndrome and lower disease specific quality of life.

Many factors are known to be important in order to achieve optimal results after thrombus removal for iliofemoral DVT. Not much is published in the literature about timing the treatment, though many guidelines recommend treatment within 14 days. This time span lies within the phrase of acute DVT according to the definition given in many reporting standards. This article will highlight the value of information acquired from patients directly regarding onset of symptoms versus information acquired from imaging with the purpose of a more precise selection of patients for catheter-directed thrombolysis for iliofemoral DVT. What is the value of clinical information acquired from patients and does the information from imaging have additional value?

Purpose To assess the feasibility of identifying deep vein thrombosis characteristics with contrast enhanced magnetic resonance venography. Materials and Methods A total of 53 cases of deep vein thrombosis extending in and/or above the common femoral vein were evaluated by 4 independent observers (2 expert, 2 novice) using pre-determined characteristics to determine the thrombosis present to be acute, sub-acute or old. If present, chronic remnants of a previous deep vein thrombosis were reported. Additionally these image qualifications were compared to the reported duration of complaints. Results In all cases all observers were able to qualify the thrombosis. The interobserver agreement between the experts was excellent (kappa 0.97) and good between expert and novice (kappa 0.82). Thrombosis identified as acute had an average duration of complaints of 6,5 (2–13) days, sub‐acute 13 (8–18) days and old 22 (15–32) days. Conclusion Qualification of thrombosis as acute, sub-acute or old and identification of chronic remnants of DVT with CE-MRV using routinely identifiable characteristics is feasible and reproducible with good to excellent interobserver agreement.

The results of the CaVent-study and the expected results of the ATTRACT and CAVA trials will form the base of evidence to support that rapid cloth removal is beneficial for patients with iliofemoral DVT. Although beneficial, there are still significant risks associated with this therapy. Therefore alternative methods for rapid cloth removal without lysis are a potential valid alternative. In this article we describe the techniques currently available for thrombolysis and discuss the potential improvements to be made to clot removal techniques in the future.

For the treatment of chronic venous disease (CVD) of the lower extremity, identification of the underlying venous pathologies is essential. Traditionally, the pathologies to detect with imaging have been centred on insufficiency and reflux of the superficial, perforator and deep veins of the leg. More recently, stenosis and obstruction of the deep veins of the pelvis and abdomen (i.e. inferior vena cava, common and external iliac veins) have been identified as significant underlying pathologies in CVD. Accurate detection of stenotic and/or occlusive venous disease expands the treatment options for patients with CVD. In most cases, imaging of venous disease is performed with duplex ultrasound. In this article we discuss the existing evidence and potential value of computed tomographic venography and magnetic resonance venography to contribute in accurately identifying chronic venous disease, in particular chronic venous obstruction.

European radiology 27(12), 4986-4994 (2017). doi:10.1007/s00330-017-4902-0, Published by Springer, Berlin

Objectives: To present a novel scoring system for lower-extremity venous pathology (the LOVE score) and our experiences using it in our clinical practice to identify venous pathology with duplex ultrasound (DUS) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV). Method: A total of 40 patients, 30 suspected of chronic venous disease and 10 with acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were examined from the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the popliteal vein using DUS and MRV. The image findings were reported using the LOVE score. Results The majority of deep veins (368 out of 378 segments) were completely visualized by both our imaging techniques and could be analysed using the LOVE score. Both imaging techniques reported comparable findings with regard to the visualization of thrombus, obstruction, collaterals, trabeculations, anatomic variations and central venous compression (e.g. May–Thurner). Conclusions: The LOVE score can be used to expand and standardize the documentation of imaging the deep venous system beyond thrombosis, to help identify (optimal) treatment options in patients with venous disease, in both the clinical and research setting. This first assessment shows that both DUS and MRV are capable of systematically identifying a multitude of changes in the venous system.

In this article we want to discuss the potential of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) imaging and propose a systematic approach to DVT management based on a DVT classification of the lower extremity; the LET classification. Identifying and reporting DVT more systematically allows for accurate stratification for initial patient care, future clinical trials and appropriate descriptions for natural history studies.

Many female patients are affected by chronic pelvic pain and a significant number of referrals to the gynecology department result in a clinical suspicion of pelvic congestion syndrome. Additionally, patients referred to the vascular surgery department for venous disease can also present with complaints of a persistent dull lower abdominal pain in addition to typically distributed leg varicosities (that extend from the leg through the pelvic floor) which should be evaluated for the presence of pelvic congestion syndrome. In this article, we focus on imaging pelvic vein insufficiency and related (extending) varicosities: how should we evaluate the pelvic veins, what are the signs to look for, and what are the currently established criteria for (pre-interventional) imaging.

In this review we evaluated the effect of different suggested factors associate with the outcome after recanalization of chronic venous obstruction (CVO). Hemodynamic factors: Based upon literature no clear suggestions can be made to identify the risk of stent occlusion in association with the hemodynamic effects. However it is evident that ensuring optimal in- and outflow of the stented tract is key in maintaining the patency. Patient selection: Noninvasive imaging modalities are used to divide patients in three subgroups based on the place and extension of post-thrombotic changes. Moreover it should be noted that AV fistula in selected patients can reduce the risk of thrombosis or re-occlusion. Geometry: Excessive oversizing of the stent and stent compression from outside are considered to be associated with stent occlusion. Additionally, overlapping rigid stents, unnatural angel between stents and in-stent kinking are other geometrical factors related to worse outcome after venous recanalization. Anticoagulation: Adequate peri-and postoperative anticoagulation has a crutial role in stent patency. There is no data regarding the duration of anticoagulation therapy and recommendations vary between 6 weeks to 6 months. Result: impaired inflow or outflow, presence of a hypercoagulability, total number of treated segments and use of stents designed for implantation in arterial system are associated with decreased stent patency.

Endovenous recanalization with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting in post-thrombotic syndrome patients with iliocaval obstruction is a treatment modality quickly gaining popularity. Studies show good patency and clinical success rates. If the obstruction extends distally, below the inguinal ligament, stenting remains controversial. Without adequate inflow, the patency of stented iliocaval segments drops dramatically. This suggests that treatment of diseased common femoral, femoral and profunda femoral veins is required to ensure adequate inflow. Endophlebectomy, the removal of synechiae and septae from the common femoral vein, is a viable option in these cases. Another option, which can be done concurrently with the endophlebectomy, is the creation of an arteriovenous fistula. Selecting patients for these interventions however remains difficult, as precise preoperative prediction of inflow into the stented segments is difficult. In this paper we describe our experience in using duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance venography and conventional venography to assess the patency of the inflow trajectory. We believe this approach is essential in dealing with cases of complex post-thrombotic disease extending below the inguinal ligament. There is a great need to establish criteria to accurately assess pre- and postinterventional flow through treated vein segments.

Chronic iliocaval venous obstructions have been treated by means of bypass surgery until endovascular treatment emerged as a valuable alternative. With the introduction of new imaging modalities, recanalization techniques and novel stent design the endovascular approach gained even more popularity and surpassed surgery as the primary treatment option. Still, lessons learned from our and others' experience launches a new era in which we should decide on some unsolved issues. Foremost, reproducible imaging techniques should help to define treatment indication. Second, further research is needed to establish the optimal stent design, but also advice on stenting techniques. Finally, if and when arteriovenous fistulas should be used to support early patency is still unclear. This manuscript addresses some of these technical considerations, pitfalls and complications to advice on materials and methods to optimize the quality of your treatment.