The risk of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) was not found to decline significantly after treatment of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) via catheter, using thrombolytic agents and thrombectomy or other invasive device measures when compared with anticoagulation therapy alone, suggested a new study published in the December 7, 2017 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. More invasive treatment was noted to be associated with a higher risk of major bleeding. Over a period of 24 months, 47% of the 336 patients assigned to pharmacomechanical-thrombolysis and 48% of the 355 patients in the control group developed PTS. Major bleeding within 10 days was noted in 1.7% of the pharmacomechanical-thrombolysis group compared to 0.3% in the control group. Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis was associated with a greater reduction in symptom severity compared with anticoagulation alone. The pharmacomechanical-thrombolysis group also reported greater reduction in leg pain than controls at 10 days and at 30 days.