Axial Transformation of the Profunda Vein Sustains Ilio-Caval Stenting in Postthrombotic Limbs

Abstract

The profunda femoris vein provides an important collateral pathway when the femoral vein is obstructed by thrombosis. There is a special subset of limbs with severe obstructive postthrombotic disease in which the profunda femoris vein enlarges to a variable extent (axial transformation) to compensate for severe chronic post-thrombotic obstruction of the femoral vein. In extreme cases, the profunda femoris vein completely replaces the femoral vein as the main outflow source for the limb. This study aims to assess patency and clinical outcome after stenting of the femoro-ilio-caval venous outflow in presence of femoral vein obstruction with axial transformation of the profunda vein.