Abstract / Summary
Objective The incidence of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is increasing, and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) is receiving more attention as a treatment option. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and clinical outcomes of PMT combined with superior vena cava (SVC) filter protection in cancer patients with acute UEDVT. Methods: This study included all patients with acute UEDVT who underwent treatment with an 8-Fr AngioJet thrombectomy system (Boston Scientific, USA) under the protection of a retrievable SVCfilter between January 1, 2020, and October 1, 2025. The evaluation indicators included technical success rate (defined as a thrombus clearance rate >80%), intraoperative adverse events, degree of limb swelling relief, incidence of pulmonary embolism, and thrombus recurrence during follow-up. Results: A total of 19 patients (10 female; mean age 60.84 ± 11.30 years) were included. All patients had secondary UEDVT and a history of malignant tumors, with 14 cases (73.7%) having a history of central venous catheterization. All procedures achieved technical success, with no severe adverse events such as major bleeding occurring intraoperatively, nor were there any new symptomatic pulmonary embolisms. The average circumference of the affected limb 10 cm above the elbow before surgery was 29.83 ± 2.20 cm, which decreased to 26.98 ± 2.0 cm on the second postoperative day. During the 6-month follow-up, one patient with advanced lung cancer developed swelling of the upper limb on postoperative day 136, confirmed by ultrasound to be a recurrence of deep vein thrombosis; another patient was found to have an asymptomatic mural thrombus on ultrasound examination on postoperative day 28. Conclusion: PMT with the 8-Fr AngioJet system and SVC filter protection appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for cancer patients with acute UEDVT.