Percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy is an emerging therapy for acute deep vein thrombosis and may reduce long-term incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome. This study investigates the proportion of patients presenting with lower limb deep vein thrombosis who are potentially suitable for percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy.

A retrospective review of all duplex ultrasound scans for lower limb deep vein thrombosis over two-year period at a regional vascular unit was conducted. All acute occlusive iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis were screened for percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy suitability according to predefined criteria.

There were 2513 duplex ultrasound scans for suspected lower limb deep vein thrombosis in the two-year period. There were 120 cases of acute occlusive iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria 48 out of 120 (40%) patients were identified as potential candidates for percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy.

This indicates that a large randomised trial of percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy is feasible given expected recruitment rates in a multicentre study.