ESC Congress 2025 - New guidelines for catheter-based VTE therapy emphasise the importance of involving vascular experts, and performing procedures in experienced centers.

Dr Oliver Schlager (Medical University of Vienna, AT) joins us to discuss the newly released 2025 ESVM Guidelines on Interventional Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism, endorsed by European national societies of Vascular Medicine.

The guidelines address the growing use of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and catheter-based mechanical thrombus removal for both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), incorporating advances in thrombectomy system technology that have enhanced treatment efficacy. They establish clear indications for CBT in acute VTE management, emphasizing the critical role of vascular medicine experts in patient selection and decision-making processes. Recommendations stress that these complex interventional procedures should be performed exclusively in specialized centers with demonstrated experience in VTE treatment, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and procedural safety.

Dr Schlager explores the technological advances driving these guideline updates and shares practical insights for implementing these recommendations in clinical practice.

Interview Questions:

1. What are the key updates to the guidelines?
2. What are the challenges and opportunities in implementing the new guideline recommendations into practice?
3. How have advances in thrombectomy technology influenced current treatment approaches?
4. What are your recommendations for establishing specialized VTE intervention centers?
5. What are the key take-home messages for clinicians?

Recorded on-site at ESC Congress 2025, Madrid.

Editors: Jordan Rance, Yazmin Sadik.
Videographers: Mike Knight, Dan Brent, Oliver Miles, Tom Green, David-Ben-Harosh.
Support: This is an independent interview produced by Radcliffe Vascular.