ABSTRACT
The important relationship between iliac vein compression lesions and the preponderance of left iliofemoral thrombosis was recognized early. Virchow attributed the marked left-sided predilection for deep vein thrombosis to stasis caused by compression of the left iliac vein by the right iliac artery against the fifth lumbar vertebral body. Stenting of the primary iliac vein obstruction can be performed with low morbidity, no mortality, long-term high patency rates, and a low rate of in-stent restenosis. Stenting of a primary iliac vein obstruction is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and appears to result in marked clinical improvement whether or not an adjunct procedure in order to control superficial reflux is performed. Non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVL) have a high prevalence in the asymptomatic general population. The central NIVL lesion was three-times more frequently observed on the left side, while the peripheral NIVL lesion was equally distributed bilaterally.
