Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis vs. Anticoagulation in Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an important component of venous thromboembolism and can lead to pulmonary embolism with high morbidity and mortality. Anticoagulant therapy alone (AC) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) are commonly used strategies for the management of DVT. Although CDT has been reported to be effective in reducing the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), it remains unclear in which patient groups it should be preferred due to the risk of bleeding. Methods: This retrospective study included 175 patients diagnosed with DVT between 2015 and 2024 (98 AC, 77 CDT). Patients with a diagnosis of proximal DVT, aged ≥18 years, and with at least 30 days of follow-up data were included. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality and secondary endpoints were the length of hospitalization, pulmonary embolism, and bleeding complications. Results: The CDT group was superior to AC in thrombus clearance rates, especially in iliac vein thrombosis (97.7% vs. 78%, p = 0.003). Clinical symptoms improved faster in the CDT group, but total hospitalization was longer. There were no significant differences in bleeding complications and mortality rates between the two groups. Conclusions: The optimal approach to DVT treatment should be based on the patient’s individual risk factors. Although CDT provides a higher thrombus clearance rate, especially in iliac vein thrombosis, it may not be suitable for all patients. Future large-scale studies will contribute to a better understanding of the long-term outcomes of interventional therapies.