Evaluation of Catheter Directed Thrombolytic Therapy versus Systemic Anticoagulant Therapy of Acute Ilio-Femoral Deep Vein Thrombosis

Background Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality all-over the world. Complications include pulmonary embolism (PE), post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), phlegmasia alba dolens, phlegmasia cerulea dolens and venous gangrene. The PTS is the most common cause of long-term morbidity and disability among the previous complications. Aim of the Work The aim of this work is evaluation of the regional catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy versus standard systemic anticoagulant therapy in cases of acute ilio-femoral deep vein thrombosis as regard to efficacy, safety as well as complications. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on 30 patients presented to the vascular surgery unit of Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital between February, 2019 and August, 2019 with acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (less than two weeks duration). Of the 30 patients, 18 were females and 12 were males. The age of the patients ranged between 22 and 55 years. Results The outcome results of early Follow up of the thrombolytic therapy was complete recanalization in 30.7% of the cases, partial re-canalization in 53.8% of the cases and poor recanalization in the remaining cases15.3%.While the follow up results of anticoagulant therapy was complete re-canalization in 6.7% of the cases, partial re-canalization in 60% of cases and poor recanalization in the remaining cases 33.3% Conclusion Catheter directed thrombolytic therapy using streptokinase, as a lytic agent in the treatment of acute ilio-femoral DVT is a safe and efficient technique.

VENOUS GANGRENE - AN INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Venous gangrene represents the most severe manifestation following deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and presents as acral ischaemic necrosis. The pathophysiology is driven by an acquired coagulopathic state leading to microvascular thrombosis outcomes are generally poor. This study was aimed at analysing the outcomes in these rare group of patients who presented with venous gangrene at a single institution during a two year period.

Gall bladder carcinoma associated with anticoagulation-resistant, progressive, multi-focal venous thrombosis and gangrene of all limbs: a case report and review of literature

Cancer being a prothrombotic state, frequently has vascular complications, venous thrombosis, embolism, recurrent venous thromboembolism and a high frequency of anticoagulant failure. We present a rare case of anticoagulant-resistant, progressive, multifocal venous thrombosis and gangrene in all four limbs in a patient with carcinoma gallbladder. A 49 year old lady with locally advanced gallbladder cancer who had been on routine perioperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis presented two months later with deep venous thrombosis of both lower limbs progressing to venous gangrene of both feet, despite being on anticoagulation. 7 days later, she presented with venous gangrene of both hands. Shortly thereafter, she developed right facial paralysis due to thrombus in the segmental branch of the left MCA despite being on anticoagulation. The hypercoagulable state in cancer involves procoagulant molecules produced by tumor cells, suppression of fibrinolytic activity and platelet activation and is contributed by interactions between the coagulation cascade, complement pathway and immune system. Upto 15% of patients with cancer will develop DVT following surgery, despite standard DVT prophylaxis. Extended DVT prophylaxis should be considered in high-risk patients. Patients with metastases should continue with indefinite anticoagulant therapy after a thrombotic event. In patients without metastasis, anticoagulant treatment is recommended for as long as the cancer is active and while the patient is receiving antitumor therapy. This rare case has been presented to highlight the hypercoagulable state of cancer, the importance of long-term anticoagulation in advanced and metastatic cancers and the high rate of anticoagulation failure associated with unfavourable tumor biology.

Endovascular Treatment in a Case of Phelgmasia Cerulean Doleans

Background: Phlegmasia cerulean dolens (PCD) is an uncommon and severe manifestation of massive proximal venous thrombosis of the lower extremities associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Case: We describe a case of a 67-year-old gentleman with metastatic gastric neuroendocrine tumour, who developed PCD of his left lower limb. He underwent endovascular thrombectomy with thrombolysis and stent placement with good effect. Discussion: Characterised by severe venous outflow obstruction, marked limb swelling, pain and discolouration, PCD can lead to venous gangrene, congestion with massive fluid sequestration and circulatory collapse if left untreated. Various treatment modalities were reported with varying outcomes, morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: A multifaceted approach to PCD may be required for successful limb salvage, taking into account the risks and benefits of each treatment modality.

Complications of deep vein thrombosis: pulmonary thromboembolism and venous gangrene of the lower extremities (clinical case)

Venous thrombosis and thromboembolic complications are an important public health problem. According to current recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolic complications, patients are stratified by the risk of pulmonary embolism, by the risk of death in pulmonary embolism, respectively, diagnostic and therapeutic tactics are recommended. Adherence to the recommendations allows to reduce mortality from pulmonary embolism, in the opposite case, mortality from pulmonary embolism remains high due to the problems of rapid diagnosis and risk-adjusted therapy. If pulmonary embolism is a frequent complication of venous thrombosis, then venous gangrene is a rather rare complication, which is also characterized by high mortality. A rare case of a combination of two serious complications of deep vein thrombosis is described: thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery and venous gangrene of both lower extremities. Late diagnosis and late treatment led to amputation of both lower extremities, performed in the presence of a floating thrombus in the inferior vena cava and right heart. The causes of late diagnosis and the complexity of the treatment of simultaneously developed two complications are analyzed.

Pulseless Electrical Activity Arrest as the First Symptom of Testicular Cancer with Subsequent Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens

Introduction Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a severe, rare complication of deep vein thrombosis, which is characterised by compartment syndrome, arterial compromise, venous gangrene, and shock. Prothrombotic states are the primary risk factor for PCD, which, in most cases, is associated with pulmonary embolism and carries a high mortality. Case report A 46-year-old male presented following a pulseless electrical activity (PEA) arrest due to saddle pulmonary embolism (PE). He subsequently developed PCD and venous gangrene secondary to inferior vena cava obstruction, in the setting of a new diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumour. Discussion PEA arrest, as the initial presenting problem in malignancy, is rare. It is extreme for the first indication of cancer to be a PEA arrest from massive PE. While hypoxic brain injury from the cardiac arrest precluded intervention in this case, a surgical approach entailing en bloc resection of aortocaval metastasis, with subsequent IVC reconstruction, followed by lower limb venous thrombectomy would have been favoured as it was considered that an endovascular approach would not have been successful. Conclusion A case of a patient with phlegmasia cerulea dolens secondary to testicular cancer, who presented following PEA arrest is described.