Catheter-directed thrombolysis in iliofemoral deep-vein thrombosis

Despite optimal treatment of acute deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) there is a great chance of recurrent DVT and development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in the long term. The degree of spontaneous recanalization differs per patient and per thrombus location. 90% of all femoropopliteal occlusions will fully recanalize within 1 year; however, in the case of an iliofemoral thrombosis, recanalization occurs only in a minority of cases. Post-thrombotic complications occur more often following iliofemoral thrombosis, and the chance of recurrent thrombosis is greater than following thrombosis in a more distal location. An anatomical variation or abnormality also more often underlies an iliofemoral thrombosis. It is important to identify patients with a greater chance of developing PTS promptly and to treat them in order to prevent post-thrombotic damage. There are still insufficient trial data available to implement catheter-directed thrombolysis as standard therapy for iliofemoral thrombosis

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Despite optimal treatment of acute deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) there is a great chance of recurrent DVT and development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in the long term. The degree of spontaneous recanalization differs per patient and per thrombus location.

Explore how this research connects to clinical practice

More peer-reviewed studies in Clinical Literature.

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Reverse Sural Flap Venous Congestion Successfully Managed With Enoxaparin in a Male Patient With a Traumatic Foot Crush Injury: A Case Report — Velasco-Bustamante J et al. (2026)
• Investigation of the therapeutic effects of medicinal leech treatment on lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury — Ünal K et al. (2026)
• Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Diverse Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Study from Azerbaijan — Farzali S et al. (2025)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW — Heinz P et al. (2020)
• Hirudotherapy in Wound Healing — Nair H et al. (2022)
• Hirudotherapy for limb ischemia in the pediatric intensive care unit: A retrospective observational cohort — Resch J et al. (2022)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →