Ultrasound‐Accelerated Thrombolysis and Venoplasty for the Treatment of the Postthrombotic Syndrome: Results of the ACCESS PTS Study

BACKGROUND: Postthrombotic syndrome is a common complication of deep vein thrombosis, with limited treatment options. METHODS AND RESULTS: ACCESS PTS (Accelerated Thrombolysis for Post‐Thrombotic Syndrome Using the Acoustic Pulse Thrombolysis Ekosonic Endovascular System) is a multicenter, single‐arm, prospective study evaluating patients with chronic deep vein thrombosis and postthrombotic syndrome (Villalta score ≥8) who received minimum 3 months of anticoagulation. Patients underwent percutaneous transluminal venoplasty and ultrasound‐accelerated thrombolysis, with data collected on clinical characteristics, postthrombotic syndrome, imaging, and quality of life to 1 year. The primary efficacy outcome was a reduction of ≥4 points in the Villalta score 30 days after procedure. The primary safety outcomes were major bleeding episodes within 72 hours and symptomatic pulmonary embolism during the index hospitalization. A total of 82 limbs (78 patients) were treated (age, 54.6±12.7 years; 32.1% women; mean Villalta score, 15.5±5.2). The primary end point was met in 64.6% (51/79). At 1 year, 77.3% (51/66) of limbs continued with a Villalta reduction ≥4. At 365 days, >90% of segments had patency with ultrasound flow present. Baseline to 1‐year Physical Component Summary mean score of the Short Form‐36 increased from 38.9±9.5 to 45.2±9.8 (P≤0.0001), and mean VEINES‐QOL (Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study–Quality of Life) increased from 61.9±19.7 to 82.6±20.8 at 1 year (P<0.0001). Iliofemoral venous stenting was performed in 42 patients, with similar improvements seen in all outcomes, regardless of stenting status. One patient developed severe bleeding within 72 hours of the intervention and died at 32 days after procedure (1.3% mortality rate). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transluminal venoplasty and ultrasound‐accelerated thrombolysis resulted in successful recanalization of chronic venous obstruction with improved postthrombotic syndrome severity and quality of life. Results were sustained at 1‐year after procedure. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT02159521.