Ultrasound‑enhanced, catheter‑directed thrombolysis for deep vein thrombosis

The Committee noted that most of the published evidence on ultrasound‑enhanced, catheter‑directed thrombolysis for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was about patients with acute DVT, but there was some evidence of its use for subacute and chronic DVT. It noted that NICE's guideline on venous thromboembolic diseases recommends that catheter‑directed thrombolysis should be considered for patients with symptomatic iliofemoral DVT who have symptoms of less than 14 days' duration, good functional status, a life expectancy of 1 year or more and a low risk of bleeding.

The Committee noted that ultrasound‑enhanced, catheter‑directed thrombolysis has been claimed to reduce the dose of thrombolytic agent and the duration of thrombolysis compared with catheter‑directed thrombolysis alone and this underpinned the recommendation for comparative research. It noted that a number of studies are currently in progress.