post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS)

The results of the Acute Venous Thrombosis: Thrombus Removal with Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis (ATTRACT) study have revealed that clot busting drugs and medical devices do not improve outcomes for patients experiencing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), nor do they prevent the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) when compared with conventional blood thinning medications.

The results of the ACCESS PTS (Accelerated Thrombolysis for Post-Thrombotic Syndrome Using the Ekos System) trial has reported chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) patients with post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) can be treated safely and effectively with EKOS therapy. According to BTG, the ACCESS PTS protocol using EKOS therapy is now the only treatment regimen proven to significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of PTS and show a significant improvement in quality of life. The outcomes were presented at the Society for Vascular Medicine 28th Annual Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.

The results from the Acute Venous Thrombosis: Thrombus Removal with Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis (ATTRACT) randomised, multi-centre clinical trial, has reported that most patients with DVT should continue to be treated with anticoagulant drugs alone, without undergoing a procedure-based intervention.

However, the study also showed that a minimally invasive catheter-directed therapy, known as pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT), provides greater relief of initial leg pain and swelling and is likely to prevent disability in certain DVT patients