Clinical trial Recruiting at 18 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 to 89

Using dexamethasone to reduce inflammation after blood clot removal in the leg

Official title: Perivenous Dexamethasone Therapy: Examining Reduction of Inflammation After Thrombus Removal to Yield Benefit in Acute Femoropopliteal DVT (DEXTERITY-AFP)

Run by Mercator MedSystems, Inc. · NCT04862468 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if giving dexamethasone directly around the veins after removing a blood clot can help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms for people with deep vein thrombosis.

More Thrombosis trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 89 Years
SexAll
Enrollment80 (estimated)
SponsorMercator MedSystems, Inc.
Industry-sponsored
Locations22 sites (Scottsdale, Arizona and 21 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 29, 2021
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsFebruary 1, 2029
Registry record updatedSeptember 25, 2026
Trial IDNCT04862468 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 89 who have experienced acute DVT symptoms for 14 days or less prior to treatment.

Probably not a fit

Patients with chronic DVT symptoms or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the use of a catheter to deliver dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory medication, directly around deep veins following the removal of a blood clot (DVT). The aim is to determine if this localized treatment can reduce inflammation and prevent the recurrence of thrombosis, as well as improve symptoms for up to 24 months post-procedure. Participants will be monitored for their response to the treatment and any changes in their condition over time.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the risk of re-thrombosis and improve long-term outcomes for patients with DVT.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of localized dexamethasone delivery is novel, similar anti-inflammatory treatments have shown promise in other studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form prior to receiving any non-standard of care, protocol-specific procedures.
2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures including completion of questionnaires and follow-up visits and availability for the duration of the study.
3. Male or female, aged 18 to 89 years.
4. For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception (abstinence is acceptable) for at least 1 month prior to study treatment (unless they had given birth within the 1 month prior to study treatment), and agreement to use such a method for at least 30 days after study treatment.
5. Onset of acute DVT symptoms of 14 days or less prior to initial intervention in the study limb.
6. Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the prescribed anti-coagulant regimen.
7. Post-procedural prescription for at least 28 days low molecular weight heparin followed by therapeutic anticoagulant of investigator's choice for 12 months minimum as part of post-interventional medication regimen.
8. Minimum of 28 days of prescribed antiplatelet agent (aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor) for patients receiving stents.
9. DVT located in any of the major femoropopliteal veins (common femoral, femoral, and/or popliteal above the tibial plateau), with possible extension downstream into the iliac veins.
10. Successful recanalization of the target vein with removal of acute thrombus.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current enrollment in another non-registry clinical study of systemic drug therapy or another device study that has not completed its primary endpoint, including prior enrollment in this study. Concurrent enrollment in registry studies of approved devices or drugs are acceptable.
2. Lack of capability of understanding the nature, significance and implications of the clinical trial.
3. Body Mass Index between 40 kg/m2 and 45 kg/m2, with significant comorbidity which, in the Investigator's discretion, could impair follow-up or study outcomes.
4. Body Mass Index \> 45 kg/m2.
5. Non-ambulatory status prior to DVT occurrence.
6. In the study leg: current established PTS (Villalta ≥ 5 for more than 14 days), current known symptomatic deep venous insufficiency for more than 14 days, or previous symptomatic DVT within the last 365 days.
7. In the contralateral (non-study) leg: symptomatic DVT that, in the opinion of the operating physician, will require a subsequent open or endovascular surgery in the following 30 days.
8. In cases with symptoms of limb-threatening circulatory compromise, ankle-brachial index \<0.4, absolute ankle pressure \<50 mmHg or absolute toe pressure \<30 mmHg.
9. Pulmonary embolism (PE) defined as either massive (systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg and/or patient on IV vasoactive medication to support blood pressure), or intermediate high-risk PE, as defined by the European Society Guideline on management of PE. Low-risk PE and/or intermediate low-risk PE can be enrolled.
10. Inability to tolerate contemporary venous intervention procedure due to severe dyspnea or acute systemic illness.
11. Allergy or hypersensitivity to any drugs planned for use in the case (including dexamethasone sodium phosphate, iodinated contrast, low molecular-weight heparin, or recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, rtPA, if planned), except for mild-moderate contrast allergies for which steroid pre-medication can be used.
12. History of, or active heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
13. Hemoglobin \< 8.0 g/dl.
14. INR \> 1.6 before starting anticoagulation.
15. Platelets \< 100,000/ml.
16. Severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate \< 30 ml/min).
17. Active bleeding, recent (\< 1 mo) GI bleeding, severe liver dysfunction, bleeding diathesis.
18. Recent (\< 3 mo) internal eye surgery or hemorrhagic retinopathy.
19. Recent (\< 10 days) major surgery, trauma, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or other invasive procedure which, in the Investigator's discretion, could impair follow-up or study outcomes.
20. Obstetrical delivery \<72 hours prior to procedure.
21. Hemorrhagic stroke within the last 365 days.
22. Intracranial/intraspinal bleed within the last 365 days.
23. Intracranial/intraspinal tumor within the last 365 days.
24. Intracranial/intraspinal vascular malformation within the last 365 days.
25. Intracranial/intraspinal aneurysm within the last 365 days.
26. Active symptomatic COVID-19 infection that, in the Investigator's discretion, could impair follow-up or study outcomes.
27. Severe hypertension on repeated readings (systolic blood pressure \> 180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \> 105 mmHg). This can be treated, and blood pressure must be stable before venous access is obtained (systolic blood pressure \<140 mmHg).
28. Pregnant or breastfeeding.
29. Life expectancy \< 2 years (e.g. due to active cancer).
30. Major thrombus of the inferior vena cava (IVC) (occlusive or near-occlusive) extending at least one centimeter above the common iliac confluence.
31. Inability to obtain venous access.
32. Inability to recanalize the target vein segment with less than 30% residual obstruction due to thrombus.
33. History of ipsilateral venous stent.
34. DVT target length intended for drug treatment exceeds 50 cm.

Where it's running

  • HonorHealth
    Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Providence St. Joseph Hospital
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Vascular Care Connecticut
    Darien, Connecticut, United States
    Recruiting
  • HCA Florida JFK Hospital
    Atlantis, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of South Florida
    Tampa, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Grady Memorial Hospital
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
Show 16 more locations
  • Piedmont Heart Institute
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • CIS Clinical Research
    Houma, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • Medstar Health Research Institute
    Hyattsville, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting
  • Englewood Health
    Englewood, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Stony Brook University Hospital
    Stony Brook, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • NC Heart and Vascular Research
    Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Allegheny General Hospital
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • HCA Medical City Arlington
    Arlington, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Baylor Scott & White Hospital
    Plano, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
    Norfolk, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting
  • UW Medical Center - Northwest
    Seattle, Washington, United States
    Recruiting
  • Baptist Health
    Jacksonville, Florida, United States
    Completed
  • OhioHealth Research Institute
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Completed
  • Galway University Hospital
    Galway, Ireland
    Completed
  • Guy's and St. Thomas Hospital
    London, United Kingdom
    Active not recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.