AVF Session: AI, Anticoagulation, and Novel VTE Therapies

Anticoagulation and Thrombectomy Outcomes

A large database study found anticoagulation for isolated infrapopliteal DVT did not significantly reduce pulmonary embolism risk but was linked to higher bleeding and mortality, supporting surveillance over routine anticoagulation. A two-year propensity-matched analysis found mechanical thrombectomy produced lower Villalta scores and far less post-thrombotic syndrome than anticoagulation alone after iliofemoral DVT.

AI Applications in VTE Risk and Diagnosis

A neural network incorporating 113 risk factors modestly improved VTE risk prediction over the Caprini score in over a million hospitalized patients, though it is not yet ready for clinical use. AI-generated right-to-left ventricle ratio measurements for pulmonary embolism triage closely matched radiologist interpretation while returning results about twice as fast.

Emerging Mechanisms and Seasonal Variation

In vitro work found low-dose sirolimus preserved venous endothelial barrier integrity after thrombin exposure while higher doses reduced vascular permeability, suggesting a local delivery strategy to limit vein wall injury. Ablation outcomes for chronic venous insufficiency showed greater symptom improvement in spring and summer despite most procedures being performed in winter.