Pulmonary embolism angioplasty

Associate Editors-in-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [mailto:urastogi@perfuse.org]

Overview
Angioplasty is the mechanical widening of a narrowed or totally obstructed blood vessel. These obstructions are often caused by atherosclerosis. The term angioplasty is a portmanteau of the words angio (from the Latin/Greek word meaning "vessel") and plasticos (Greek: "fit for moulding"). Angioplasty has come to include all manner of vascular interventions typically performed in a minimally invasive or percutaneous method.

ACC/AHA Guidelines- Recommendations for Percutaneous Transluminal Venous Angioplasty and Stenting (DO NOT EDIT)
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Class IIa
1. Stent placement in the iliac vein to treat obstructive lesions after CDT, PCDT, or surgical venous thrombectomy is reasonable (Level of Evidence: C).

2. For isolated obstructive lesions in the common femoral vein, a trial of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty without stenting is reasonable (Level of Evidence: C).

3. The placement of iliac vein stents to reduce PTS symptoms and heal venous ulcers in patients with advanced PTS and iliac vein obstruction is reasonable (Level of Evidence: C)

4. After venous stent placement, the use of therapeutic anticoagulation with similar dosing, monitoring, and duration as for IFDVT patients without stents is reasonable (Level of Evidence: C)

Class IIb
5. After venous stent placement, the use of antiplatelet therapy with concomitant anticoagulation in patients perceived to be at high risk of rethrombosis may be considered (Level of Evidence: C)}}

Guidelines Resources

 * Guidelines on the management of Pulmonary embolism: Management of Massive and Submassive Pulmonary Embolism, Iliofemoral Deep Vein Thrombosis, and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension