Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) doesn’t always end after the clot is treated or removed. Pain, swelling, and difficulty walking can persist for months or years after, which is a complication known as post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). New research finds that venous stenting may help patients with PTS finally find relief.
A recent clinical trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, explored whether opening damaged pelvic veins with stents could improve symptoms in people with moderate to severe PTS following DVT. Researchers enrolled 225 patients across 29 U.S. hospitals, all of whom had significant iliac vein obstruction and disability despite standard treatment.
The results were encouraging: six months after treatment, severe PTS symptoms persisted in 40 percent of patients who received stents, compared with 61 percent in the standard-care group. Patients who underwent stenting also reported improved quality of life.
A stent is a tiny mesh tube inserted into a damaged blood vessel to keep it open and promote healthy blood flow. Stents are often used to manage heart disease, but they can also be used in veins when there is scarring from a blood clot.
In DVT-related disease, venous stents may help by:
Typically, compression stockings or blood thinners are used to manage symptoms, but stents may address the structural problem caused by the original clot.
PTS is one of the most common long-term complications of DVT. Estimates suggest up to 50 percent of people with DVT may deal with it to some extent.
Symptoms can include:
It can even be disabling for some people, which is why the new findings are so critical.
DVT and related venous thromboembolism (VTE) affect people across populations, but disparities exist among the Black community. Research has found that Black Americans may face a higher risk of blood clot complications, with some studies showing higher rates of clot formation and worse outcomes compared with other groups.
Experts point to a combination of factors that may contribute, including hypertension, kidney disease, obesity, and some autoimmune conditions, which tend to be more prevalent in the Black community.
Also, social determinants of health, such as barriers to treatment, may delay care. These barriers, along with medical mistrust, may lead to worse complications, including recurrence or death. Because early diagnosis matters so much in DVT, awareness is especially important.
RELATED: 7 Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent DVT
Untreated or poorly managed DVT can be dangerous. Patients may also experience recurrent blood, ulcers, or chronic venous insufficiency. Along with post-thrombotic syndrome, consequences could include a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening condition in which a blood clot travels to your lungs.
Venous stenting is not for everyone with DVT.
The newer research focused on a specific group of participants:
For these patients, stenting may offer symptom relief that conservative treatment alone doesn’t provide.
While excitement around the trial is warranted, stenting isn’t a universal fix.
Some experts note evidence is still evolving, and stents can carry risks such as bleeding (often related to accompanying blood-thinning regimens), restenosis, or need for continued monitoring.
That makes patient selection crucial.
This new study suggests venous stenting may ease long-term symptoms for some people living with post-thrombotic syndrome after DVT — potentially improving both function and quality of life.
Just as important, it underscores a broader message: DVT is not always a one-time event. Its complications can be serious, disparities in care remain real, and newer treatment approaches may help some patients reclaim comfort and mobility.
For people living with lingering symptoms after DVT, that’s a development worth paying attention to.
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