Treatment for acute iliofemoral DVT is aimed at:

• Preventing pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung, which can be fatal)

• Decreasing pain and swelling of the affected leg

• Preventing or stopping the development of phlegmasia cerulea dolens and gangrene (dead tissue from loss of blood supply) of the skin. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens, sometimes called blue phlebitis, is an acute thrombosis with leg edema (accumulation of fluid), cyanosis (blue-discolored skin), and petechiae (reddish or purplish spots)

• Preventing disabling post-thrombotic syndrome by removing the blood clot and preserving normal function of venous valves

The first choice for an early and quick removal of a thrombus in a deep vein is catheter-directed thrombolysis.  When thrombolysis fails or is contraindicated (because of an increased risk of bleeding), thrombectomy with a temporary arteriovenous fistula is a good alternative. Venous thrombectomy is a surgical removal (pulling out) of a thrombus lodged in a vein.