The post thrombotic syndrome

More than one-third of women with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) will develop the postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), and 5-10% develop severe PTS, which can manifest as venous ulcers. Typical features of PTS include chronic pain, swelling, heaviness, edema and skin changes in the affected limb. The main risk factors for PTS are persistent leg symptoms one month after acute DVT, anatomically extensive DVT, recurrent ipsilateral DVT, obesity and older age. Use of compression stockings for two years after DVT appears to reduce the incidence and severity of PTS but issues remain regarding their use and effectiveness. The cornerstone of managing PTS is compression therapy, primarily using ECS. Venoactive medications such as aescin and rutosides may provide short term relief of PTS symptoms. Further studies to elucidate the pathophysiology of PTS, to identify clinical and biological risk factors and to test new preventive and therapeutic approaches to PTS are needed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.