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Radiologic Management of Iliofemoral Venous Thrombosis

Variant: 1   Acute iliofemoral DVT with mild symptoms less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
Procedure Appropriateness Category
Anticoagulation alone Usually Appropriate
Graded compression stocking therapy May Be Appropriate
CDT/PMT with or without stent placement Usually Not Appropriate
Surgical thrombectomy techniques Usually Not Appropriate

Variant: 2   Acute iliofemoral DVT with moderate to severe symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
Procedure Appropriateness Category
CDT/PMT with or without stent placement Usually Appropriate
Anticoagulation alone Usually Appropriate
Surgical thrombectomy techniques May Be Appropriate

Variant: 3   Acute femoropopliteal DVT with mild to moderate symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
Procedure Appropriateness Category
Anticoagulation alone Usually Appropriate
Graded compression stocking therapy May Be Appropriate
CDT/PMT Usually Not Appropriate

Variant: 4   Acute iliofemoral DVT and symptoms less than 14 days. Cross-sectional imaging consistent with May-Thurner syndrome.
Procedure Appropriateness Category
CDT/PMT with or without stent placement Usually Appropriate
Anticoagulation alone May Be Appropriate
Hybrid surgical thrombectomy with stenting May Be Appropriate

Variant: 5   Acute iliofemoral DVT and limb-threatening ischemia (phlegmasia cerulea dolens).
Procedure Appropriateness Category
CDT/PMT with or without stent placement Usually Appropriate
Surgical thrombectomy with or without stent placement Usually Appropriate
Systemic thrombolysis May Be Appropriate
Anticoagulation alone Usually Not Appropriate

Variant: 6   Iliofemoral DVT with persistent moderate symptoms at least 3 months after initial treatment with anticoagulation alone.
Procedure Appropriateness Category
Anticoagulation alone May Be Appropriate
CDT/PMT with or without stent placement May Be Appropriate
Graded compression stocking therapy May Be Appropriate
Surgical thrombectomy with or without stent placement May Be Appropriate (Disagreement)

Variant: 7   Acute iliofemoral DVT in a pregnant patient with moderate to severe symptoms.
Procedure Appropriateness Category
Anticoagulation alone Usually Appropriate
CDT/PMT with or without stent placement May Be Appropriate
Graded compression stocking therapy May Be Appropriate
Surgical thrombectomy with or without stent placement May Be Appropriate

Panel Members
Khashayar Farsad, MD, PhDa; Baljendra S. Kapoor, MDb; Nicholas Fidelman, MDc; Thomas R. Cain, MDd; Drew M. Caplin, MDe; Jens Eldrup-Jorgensen, MDf; Amit Gupta, MDg; Mikhail C.S.S. Higgins, MD, MPHh; Eric J. Hohenwalter, MDi; Margaret H. Lee, MDj; Joseph J. McBride, MDk; Jeet Minocha, MDl; Paul J. Rochon, MDm; Patrick D. Sutphin, MD, PhDn; Jonathan M. Lorenz, MDo.
Summary of Literature Review
Introduction/Background
Overview of diagnostic and therapeutic options
Discussion of Procedures by Variant
Variant 1: Acute iliofemoral DVT with mild symptoms less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
Variant 1: Acute iliofemoral DVT with mild symptoms less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
A. Anticoagulation alone
Variant 1: Acute iliofemoral DVT with mild symptoms less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
B. CDT/PMT with or without stent placement
Variant 1: Acute iliofemoral DVT with mild symptoms less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
C. Graded compression stocking therapy
Variant 1: Acute iliofemoral DVT with mild symptoms less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
D. Surgical thrombectomy techniques
Variant 2: Acute iliofemoral DVT with moderate to severe symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
Variant 2: Acute iliofemoral DVT with moderate to severe symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
A. Anticoagulation alone
Variant 2: Acute iliofemoral DVT with moderate to severe symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
B. CDT/PMT with or without stent placement
Variant 2: Acute iliofemoral DVT with moderate to severe symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
C. Surgical thrombectomy techniques
Variant 3: Acute femoropopliteal DVT with mild to moderate symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
Variant 3: Acute femoropopliteal DVT with mild to moderate symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
A. Anticoagulation alone
Variant 3: Acute femoropopliteal DVT with mild to moderate symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
B. CDT/PMT
Variant 3: Acute femoropopliteal DVT with mild to moderate symptoms present for less than 14 days, otherwise healthy.
C. Graded compression stocking therapy
Variant 4: Acute iliofemoral DVT and symptoms less than 14 days. Cross-sectional imaging consistent with May-Thurner syndrome.
Variant 4: Acute iliofemoral DVT and symptoms less than 14 days. Cross-sectional imaging consistent with May-Thurner syndrome.
A. Anticoagulation alone
Variant 4: Acute iliofemoral DVT and symptoms less than 14 days. Cross-sectional imaging consistent with May-Thurner syndrome.
B. CDT/PMT with or without stent placement
Variant 4: Acute iliofemoral DVT and symptoms less than 14 days. Cross-sectional imaging consistent with May-Thurner syndrome.
C. Hybrid surgical thrombectomy with stenting
Variant 5: Acute iliofemoral DVT and limb-threatening ischemia (phlegmasia cerulea dolens).
Variant 5: Acute iliofemoral DVT and limb-threatening ischemia (phlegmasia cerulea dolens).
A. Anticoagulation alone
Variant 5: Acute iliofemoral DVT and limb-threatening ischemia (phlegmasia cerulea dolens).
B. CDT/PMT with or without stent placement
Variant 5: Acute iliofemoral DVT and limb-threatening ischemia (phlegmasia cerulea dolens).
C. Surgical thrombectomy with or without stent placement
Variant 5: Acute iliofemoral DVT and limb-threatening ischemia (phlegmasia cerulea dolens).
D. Systemic thrombolysis
Variant 6: Iliofemoral DVT with persistent moderate symptoms at least 3 months after initial treatment with anticoagulation alone.
Variant 6: Iliofemoral DVT with persistent moderate symptoms at least 3 months after initial treatment with anticoagulation alone.
A. Anticoagulation alone
Variant 6: Iliofemoral DVT with persistent moderate symptoms at least 3 months after initial treatment with anticoagulation alone.
B. CDT/PMT with or without stent placement
Variant 6: Iliofemoral DVT with persistent moderate symptoms at least 3 months after initial treatment with anticoagulation alone.
C. Graded compression stocking therapy
Variant 6: Iliofemoral DVT with persistent moderate symptoms at least 3 months after initial treatment with anticoagulation alone.
D. Surgical thrombectomy with or without stent placement
Variant 7: Acute iliofemoral DVT in a pregnant patient with moderate to severe symptoms.
Variant 7: Acute iliofemoral DVT in a pregnant patient with moderate to severe symptoms.
A. Anticoagulation alone
Variant 7: Acute iliofemoral DVT in a pregnant patient with moderate to severe symptoms.
B. CDT/PMT with or without stent placement
Variant 7: Acute iliofemoral DVT in a pregnant patient with moderate to severe symptoms.
C. Graded compression stocking therapy
Variant 7: Acute iliofemoral DVT in a pregnant patient with moderate to severe symptoms.
D. Surgical thrombectomy with or without stent placement
Summary of Highlights
Supporting Documents

The evidence table, literature search, and appendix for this topic are available at https://acsearch.acr.org/list. The appendix includes the strength of evidence assessment and the final rating round tabulations for each recommendation.

For additional information on the Appropriateness Criteria methodology and other supporting documents, please go to the ACR website at https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Clinical-Tools-and-Reference/Appropriateness-Criteria.

Gender Equality and Inclusivity Clause

The ACR acknowledges the limitations in applying inclusive language when citing research studies that predates the use of the current understanding of language inclusive of diversity in sex, intersex, gender, and gender-diverse people. The data variables regarding sex and gender used in the cited literature will not be changed. However, this guideline will use the terminology and definitions as proposed by the National Institutes of Health.

Safety Considerations in Pregnant Patients

Imaging of the pregnant patient can be challenging, particularly with respect to minimizing radiation exposure and risk. For further information and guidance, see the following ACR documents:

·        ACR–SPR Practice Parameter for the Safe and Optimal Performance of Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

·        ACR-SPR Practice Parameter for Imaging Pregnant or Potentially Pregnant Patients with Ionizing Radiation

·        ACR-ACOG-AIUM-SMFM-SRU Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetrical Ultrasound

·        ACR Manual on Contrast Media

·        ACR Manual on MR Safety

Appropriateness Category Names and Definitions

Appropriateness Category Name

Appropriateness Rating

Appropriateness Category Definition

Usually Appropriate

7, 8, or 9

The imaging procedure or treatment is indicated in the specified clinical scenarios at a favorable risk-benefit ratio for patients.

May Be Appropriate

4, 5, or 6

The imaging procedure or treatment may be indicated in the specified clinical scenarios as an alternative to imaging procedures or treatments with a more favorable risk-benefit ratio, or the risk-benefit ratio for patients is equivocal.

May Be Appropriate (Disagreement)

5

The individual ratings are too dispersed from the panel median. The different label provides transparency regarding the panel’s recommendation. “May be appropriate” is the rating category and a rating of 5 is assigned.

Usually Not Appropriate

1, 2, or 3

The imaging procedure or treatment is unlikely to be indicated in the specified clinical scenarios, or the risk-benefit ratio for patients is likely to be unfavorable.

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Disclaimer

The ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria and its expert panels have developed criteria for determining appropriate imaging examinations for diagnosis and treatment of specified medical condition(s). These criteria are intended to guide radiologists, radiation oncologists and referring physicians in making decisions regarding radiologic imaging and treatment. Generally, the complexity and severity of a patient’s clinical condition should dictate the selection of appropriate imaging procedures or treatments. Only those examinations generally used for evaluation of the patient’s condition are ranked. Other imaging studies necessary to evaluate other co-existent diseases or other medical consequences of this condition are not considered in this document. The availability of equipment or personnel may influence the selection of appropriate imaging procedures or treatments. Imaging techniques classified as investigational by the FDA have not been considered in developing these criteria; however, study of new equipment and applications should be encouraged. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any specific radiologic examination or treatment must be made by the referring physician and radiologist in light of all the circumstances presented in an individual examination.