A 66-year-old female presented to the emergency department with three days of acute LLE swelling, pain, cyanosis, inability to bear weight, dyspnea, and hypoxemia (Figure ). She denied recent travel, hormone replacement, or a history of DVT/pulmonary embolism (PE). Her medical history was notable for systemic lupus erythematosus, CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, and local invasive anal squamous cell carcinoma. Doppler ultrasound revealed LLE thrombus extending from the greater saphenous vein to the popliteal vein. She was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and started on an unfractionated heparin drip.\nThe vascular surgery team was consulted for surgical intervention. After further review of her case, the vascular surgery team elected for an endovascular approach with CDT of LLE. Initial venogram demonstrated extensive clotting of the tibial, popliteal, and femoral venous systems extending into the iliac system (Figures , ). From a tibial approach, a guidewire was advanced up to the common iliac, but a chronic occlusion of the left common iliac vein was found, which could not be crossed. A venous collateral circulation system in communication with the right iliac venous system was identified. In order to decrease the overall clot burden, two 50-cm EKOS endovascular catheters were placed in the left external iliac vein and collateral system. Repeat venogram at 24 hours post-CDT showed significant improvement of the overall clot burden with almost complete resolution of the clot in the LLE; however, the chronic occlusion remained (Figure ). A 20 x 80 mm Boston Scientific Wallstent™ (endoprosthesis stent) was advanced across the total chronic total occlusion and deployed. Post-operative venogram demonstrated significant improvement in flow in the system, with all flow going through the iliac system, and no flow further through the previously seen collaterals. Intravascular ultrasound was advanced through the area, which showed severe compression of the stent. A 12x 40 mm Atlas® dilatation catheter (Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc., Tempe, AZ, USA) was used for angioplasty. Repeat intravascular ultrasound showed persistent compression of the area. A 8 x 40 mm Boston Scientific Mustang™ dilatation catheter (high-pressure balloon) was used to re-attempt angioplasty; however, compression was still noted (Figure ). Regardless, outflow improved throughout the left common iliac system, and no further interventions were performed. The patient returned to the ICU and transitioned to direct oral anticoagulation without any further complications. She was subsequently transferred to a medicine ward for further care.
A 49-year-old Chinese man sustained severe knife trauma and was referred to a local hospital. An exploratory laparotomy showed traumatic rupture of his left external iliac vein with massive intraperitoneal bleeding, but his iliac artery was intact. To rescue him, the proximal and distal parts of his injured external iliac vein were ligated (there was no vascular surgeon in the local hospital); however, his left leg quickly became severely swollen, cyanotic and pulseless. Two hours after the first operation, he was transferred to the emergency department of our university hospital with endotracheal tube intubation. On physical examination, he was tachycardic (142 beats per minute), hypotensive (86/50mmHg). His left lower extremity was markedly edematous, cyanotic, mottled (Figure \na) and had no palpable pulse, but his right lower extremity was normal. He was diagnosed with posttraumatic PCD. Considering the high risk of pulmonary embolism during the next surgical procedure, an OptEase® retrievable vena cava filter (Cordis Corp., New Brunswick, NJ, USA) was placed in his inferior vena cava via his right femoral vein under digital subtraction angiography (Figure \n). His abdomen was immediately reopened while his left leg was also prepared for treatment.During the second emergent laparotomy, there was less blood in his pelvic cavity. No active bleeding was identified. His left iliac vein and artery were exposed and his entire iliac artery appeared normal and without rupture. His external iliac vein was ligated but not transected, connected only by the posterior wall, and the caudal part of his iliac vein was significantly dilated. By replacing the vascular clamp in the proximal and distal parts of the rupture, the ligations on both sides of the venous rupture were resolved. A wedge-shaped rupture was revealed, approximately 4cm in length, on the anterolateral side of his left external iliac vein. The edges of the venous rupture were smooth as a result of the knife trauma. Although the ligated parts of his iliac vein appeared congested, the lumen was smooth and contained no clot. The damaged vein was repaired with continuous 4-0 Prolene sutures (Ethicon, Inc, Somerville, NJ, USA) after the patient was systemically heparinized with 5000 units heparin. Before the sutures were finally ligated, the clamp at the cranial aspect was removed and the caudal clamp was left in place. After the backflow was clear of thrombotic debris, the clamp on his caudal iliac vein was removed and the clamp at the cranial aspect left in place. The left leg was gently massaged from calf to thigh; as a result, some thrombi in the caudal part of the vein were flushed out with the venous blood flow, and the sutures were finally ligated until the venous blood was free of thrombus. His iliac vein, although narrower after repair, was patent (Figure \n).\nAfter the operation, the patient was sent to the surgical intensive care unit with mechanical ventilation. Despite the fact that his left leg showed some signs of compartment syndrome with blisters in his calf, fasciotomy was not performed. He received systemic anticoagulation, initially with low-molecular-weight heparin, then with warfarin, titrating to an international normalized ratio (INR) between 2.0 and 2.5.Three days postoperatively, mechanical ventilation was discontinued and his signs and symptoms improved dramatically. Pulses in his left lower extremity became palpable on postoperative day 5, and the swelling and discoloration decreased. On postoperative day 30, he was taken off the OptEase® filter and the venogram showed a small amount of residual thrombus in his left external iliac vein (Figure \n). The inferior vena cava was patent, with no residual defects around the filter and no thrombus in the filter. He was discharged from the hospital in a stable condition, with full resolution of symptoms, on postoperative day 35 (Figure \nb). He was mostly asymptomatic at a recent 3-month follow-up visit except for slight edema in his left leg after walking. He continues on warfarin, maintaining an INR between 2.0 and 2.5, and wears elastic compression stockings.