Catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical intervention in deep venous thrombosis: what is the status after the ATTRACT trial?

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ABSTRACT

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a major cause of acute and chronic morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Endovascular methods for thrombus removal and reestablishing venous patency are increasing in both scope and usage. The most commonly used method for endovascular thrombectomy is catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). Several studies have shown promise for CDT in alleviating acute symptomatology in acute lower extremity DVT as well as mitigating potential long-term consequences of DVT, such as post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The Acute Venous Thrombosis: Thrombus Removal with Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis (ATTRACT) trial is the largest and most comprehensive randomized-controlled trial to date evaluating CDT compared to anticoagulation alone for the treatment of acute symptomatic proximal lower extremity DVT. This review discusses the current status of CDT and adjunctive endovascular interventions for DVT, particularly in the context of the ATTRACT trial.

KEYWORDS:

• Venous thromboembolism
• pulmonary embolism
• deep vein thrombosis
• post-thrombotic syndrome
• catheter-directed thrombolysis

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The contents of the paper and the opinions expressed within are those of the authors, and it was the decision of the authors to submit the manuscript for publication.

Peer reviewers in this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).