Acute Venous Thrombosis: Thrombus Removal With Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis

The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of adjunctive Pharmacomechanical Catheter Directed Thrombolysis, which includes the intrathrombus administration of rt-PA--Activase (Alteplase),can prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome(PTS)in patients with symptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis(DVT)as compared with optimal standard DVT therapy alone.

Activase, the study drug, is a fibrinolytic drug that is indicated for use in acute myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke, and acute massive pulmonary embolism in adults. Previous studies have established the ability of rt-PA to lyse venous thrombus in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and suggest that successful rt-PA mediated thrombolysis can prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a morbid, late complication of DVT that occurs in nearly 50% of patients.

rt-PA is delivered directly into venous thrombus using a catheter/device which is embedded within the thrombus by a physician under imaging guidance. This method of rt-PA delivery, pharmacomechanical catheter-directed intrathrombus thrombolysis (PCDT),is thought to be safer, more effective, and more efficient than previous methods. The question of whether PCDT using rt-PA improves long-term DVT patient outcomes with acceptable risk and cost has not yet been addressed.

The rationale for performing the ATTRACT Trial is based upon:

* the major burden of PTS on DVT patients and the U.S. healthcare system
* the association between rapid clot lysis and prevention of PTS
* the proven ability of rt-PA to dissolve venous thrombus in proximal DVT
* recent advances in CDT methods which may lower bleeding risk
* the major clinical controversy on whether CDT should be routinely used for first-line DVT therapy

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Symptomatic proximal DVT involving the iliac, common femoral, and/or femoral vein.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age less than 16 years or greater than 75 years.
* Symptom duration \> 14 days for the DVT episode in the index leg (i.e., non-acute DVT).
* In the index leg: established PTS, or previous symptomatic DVT within the last 2 years.
* In the contralateral (non-index) leg: symptomatic acute DVT a) involving the iliac and/or common femoral vein; or b) for which thrombolysis is planned as part of the initial therapy.
* Limb-threatening circulatory compromise.
* Pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic compromise (i.e., hypotension).
* Inability to tolerate PCDT procedure due to severe dyspnea or acute systemic illness.
* Allergy, hypersensitivity, or thrombocytopenia from heparin, rt-PA, or iodinated contrast, except for mild-moderate contrast allergies for which steroid pre-medication can be used.
* Hemoglobin \< 9.0 mg/dl, INR \> 1.6 before warfarin was started, or platelets \< 100,000/ml.
* Moderate renal impairment in diabetic patients (estimated glomerular filtration rate \[GFR\] \< 60 ml/min) or severe renal impairment in non-diabetic patients (estimated GFR \< 30 ml/min).
* Active bleeding, recent (\< 3 mo) GI bleeding, severe liver dysfunction, bleeding diathesis.
* Recent (\< 3 mo) internal eye surgery or hemorrhagic retinopathy; recent (\< 10 days) major surgery, cataract surgery, trauma, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, obstetrical delivery, or other invasive procedure.
* History of stroke or intracranial/intraspinal bleed, tumor, vascular malformation, aneurysm.
* Active cancer (metastatic, progressive, or treated within the last 6 months). Exception: patients with non-melanoma primary skin cancers are eligible to participate in the study.
* Severe hypertension on repeated readings (systolic \> 180 mmHg or diastolic \> 105 mmHg).
* Pregnant (positive pregnancy test, women of childbearing potential must be tested).
* Recently (\< 1 mo) had thrombolysis or is participating in another investigational drug study.
* Use of a thienopyridine antiplatelet drug (except clopidogrel) in the last 5 days.
* Life expectancy \< 2 years or chronic non-ambulatory status.
* Inability to provide informed consent or to comply with study assessments (e.g. due to cognitive impairment or geographic distance).