Apr 28, 2017
Author: Samuel Killian M.D.
Educational Pearls:
- Lower extremity DVTs are extremely common. There are more left lower extremity DVT due to anatomical variation.
- May-Thurner Syndrome is a form of anatomical variation in which the left iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein.
- Anticoagulation may not be sufficient to treat those with May-Thurner syndrome - endovascular stenting may be needed
- Patients with with recurrent LLE DVT, especially those in whom anticoagulation fails, should be referred to a specialist.
References: Peters M, Syed RK, Katz M, et al. May-Thurner syndrome: a not so uncommon cause of a common condition. Proceedings (Baylor University Medical Center). 2012;25(3):231-233. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3377287/