Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy for the management of venous thoracic outlet syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe the successful use of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy as an adjunct to thrombolysis for acute subclavian vein thrombosis due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome.

CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old man presented with arm swelling due to acute subclavian vein thrombosis and venous thoracic outlet syndrome. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy with the AngioJet device and thrombolysis were used to restore venous patency. Immediately following operative thoracic outlet decompression, the patient experienced rethrombosis, which was successfully treated using percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy. After 6 months, the patient remains symptom-free, with a patent subclavian vein by duplex ultrasonography.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombus debulking or removal with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy devices may reduce the amount or duration of thrombolytic therapy required, making treatment of venous thoracic outlet syndrome safer. Moreover, patients with recurrent thrombosis after thoracic outlet decompression may be safely treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, even when thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated.