Effects of pharmacomechanical therapy on late complications in deep venous thrombosis

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated the effects of pharmacomechanical therapy (PMT) on post- thrombotic syndrome; which is a late complication in patients with acute and subacute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Method: A total of 25 (14 males, 11 females) patients; who were diagnosed with acute and subacute iliofemoral DVT and treated in the cardiovascular surgery clinic of Elazığ Training and Research Hospital from September 2016 to November 2018, were evaluated retrospectively by using data in the hospital’s digital archiving system. The effects of PMT applied to the patients were evaluated on the development of post-thrombotic syndrome and venous reflux as the late complications. Results : No complications occurred in patients during the intervention and therapeutic processes. After the treatment, patency and flow were achieved in 92% of the patients and significant reductions in the subjective complaints were observed in 88% of the patients. Maintained patency ratios of 92%, 84%, and 80% were confirmed in the first month, the first year, and the second year, respectively, by venous doppler ultrasonography. Post- thrombotic syndrome did not develop in 80% of the patients clinically. Discussion : We suggest that PMT is a favourable treatment option for the prevention of the development of post-thrombotic syndrome and venous reflux as the late complications in acute and subacute proximal DVT patients.