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| Treatment modality | Description/hallmark | Prototypical example |
|
| Pharmacologic thrombolysis | Administration of thrombolytics | Catheter-based, no adjunctive mechanical assistance |
| Systemic thrombolysis | A thrombolytic is administered at an anatomic site disparate from the affected region | Intravenous catheter |
| Flow-directed thrombolysis | Intravenous catheter used to administer a thrombolytic at an anatomic site within the extremity wherein the insult has occurred; tourniquets can be used to force flow towards the DVT | Intravenous catheter and tourniquet |
| Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) | Drug delivery within the thrombosed vein and US energy directed into the thrombus | Infusion catheter and US assisted catheter such as the EkoSonic catheter (EKOS, Bothell, WA) |
| Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy | This modality can involve maceration, fragmentation, or aspiration; no thrombolytic is involved | Catheter-based mechanical device such as AngioVac |
| Pharmacomechanical CDT | Use of CDT and mechanical techniques
First generation: can be initiated with CDT followed by mechanical technique (“infusion-first”) or vice versa (buzz-lyse)
Second generation: simultaneous maceration and infusion of a thrombolytic | First generation: multiple-side hole infusion catheter
Second generation: AngioJet, catheter-mounted balloon such as Trellis-8 |
| Aspiration thrombectomy | Aspiration of a thrombus via a catheter using a syringe | Aspiration catheter with syringe |
| Balloon maceration | Utilized to fragment and disperse thrombi | Angioplasty balloon |
| Balloon angioplasty | Catheter-mounted balloon which supports and enlarges the venous walls | Angioplasty balloon |
| Stent placement | Insertion of a metallic endoprosthesis to maintain lumen patency | Stent |
| Surgical thrombectomy | Venotomy | Surgical instruments |
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