Objective：To evaluate the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed thrombolysis （CDT）compared with traditional treatment（Anticoagulant alone  AC）for early（pristine） iliofemoral venous thrombosis (IFVT).
Methods：We searched MEDLINE(OVID,1990 to June 2010), EMBASE(1990 to June 2010),Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(1991 to June 2010), PubMed(1990 to June 2010), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal, Full-text Database(CSJD), and Chinese Journal Full-text Database(CJFD), added with handsearching and other retrievals. The Cochrane Collaboration′s RevMan 5.0.18 was used for meta-analyses.
Results：Only two randomized controlled trials were available and were included in the study. Meta-analysis showed that 6 months after treatment, iliofemoral vein patency rate of CDT group was higher than that of AC group［45/68 vs. 21/70，OR=4.47，95% CI（2.19,9.12），P<0.0001］, the iliofemoral vein occlusion and (or) venous reflux rate of CDT group was less than that of AC group ［12/68 vs. 33/70，OR=0.24，95% CI（0.11，0.53），P=0.004］. Major complications of CDT group compared to those of AC group were not statistically significant ［2/68 vs. 1/70，OR=1.53，95% CI（0.25，9.24），P=0.65］, but the minor complications and total complications of CDT group were higher than those of AC group, ［11/68 vs. 2/70，OR=5.48，95% CI（1.33，22.51），P=0.02］ and ［13/68 vs. 3/70，OR=3.55，95% CI（1.20,10.45），P=0.02］.
Conclusions：CDT is a positively effective way to treat early IFVT. Application of CDT in patients without contraindications to its use can have good therapeutic effect.