ATTRACT trial (2017)
The NIH-sponsored ATTRACT trial randomized 692 patients with acute deep vein thrombosis to pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis plus anticoagulation or anticoagulation alone. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it found no difference in overall post-thrombotic syndrome incidence but reduced PTS severity.
The results led to more selective use of catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute DVT.
The trial established that patient selection matters for endovascular DVT treatment and set the stage for C-TRACT.
C-TRACT is the follow-up NIH trial testing endovascular therapy in patients who already have post-thrombotic syndrome, addressing the question ATTRACT left open about established disease.
