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.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 89 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Mercator MedSystems, Inc. Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 22 sites (Scottsdale, Arizona and 21 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 29, 2021 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | February 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | September 25, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT04862468 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
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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
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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
- Study coordinator: Kirk Seward, PhD
- Email: kseward@mercatormed.com
- Phone: 510-614-4550
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.