Illustration of calf-squeeze technique aiding blood clot removal in DVT treatment.

Squeeze Away Blood Clots: A New Technique for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a simple calf-squeeze technique, combined with advanced procedures, is revolutionizing the treatment of acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis."

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly when it affects the legs, can lead to significant pain, swelling, and long-term complications such as venous ulcers. Traditional treatments range from medication to more invasive procedures, but a recent study highlights a promising addition to the toolkit: the calf-squeeze technique.

A Korean study published in the Journal of Korean Society of Radiology explored the effectiveness of integrating a simple calf-squeeze maneuver during aspiration thrombectomy, a procedure that uses a guiding catheter to remove blood clots. This approach aims to improve the success rates of DVT treatment in the lower extremities.

This article breaks down the study's findings, explaining how the calf-squeeze technique works, who might benefit from it, and why it represents a step forward in the management of acute lower extremity DVT.

The Calf-Squeeze Technique: Enhancing Blood Clot Removal

Illustration of calf-squeeze technique aiding blood clot removal in DVT treatment.

The study, led by Jae-A Lee, M.D., and colleagues, involved ten patients with acute DVT affecting the iliac and femoral veins. All patients experienced leg edema or pain and underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis, a process that dissolves blood clots using medication delivered directly to the affected site. A temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filter was also placed to prevent pulmonary embolism during the procedure.

Following thrombolysis, aspiration thrombectomy was performed using a guiding catheter to remove any remaining thrombus. This is where the calf-squeeze technique came into play. By manually squeezing the calf muscles, doctors aimed to encourage the migration of thrombi (blood clots) from the popliteal, tibial, and muscular veins towards the catheter.

Here's a step-by-step look at how the calf-squeeze technique was integrated into the DVT treatment:

The calf-squeeze technique was employed at a mean of 1.3 times (range, 1-3 times). All patients showed proximal migration of a popliteal and muscular vein thrombus during the execution of the calf-squeeze technique. Successful recanalization was achieved in all patients (100%) without any complications. On duplex ultrasonography, which was performed immediately after the aspiration thrombectomy, four patients had a residual thrombus in the soleal muscular veins. However, none of the patients had a thrombus in the popliteal and tibial veins; and, during follow-up, no DVT recurred in any patient.

The Future of DVT Treatment: A Simple Squeeze for Better Outcomes

The study suggests that the calf-squeeze technique is a valuable addition to the treatment of acute lower extremity DVT. By promoting the migration of thrombi, it enhances the effectiveness of aspiration thrombectomy and may reduce the risk of residual clots. While further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger populations, the calf-squeeze technique represents a simple, yet potentially powerful tool in the fight against DVT.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the calf-squeeze technique, and how does it work in treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

The calf-squeeze technique is a method used in conjunction with aspiration thrombectomy to treat acute lower extremity DVT. During the procedure, doctors manually squeeze the calf muscles to encourage the movement of thrombi (blood clots) from the popliteal, tibial, and muscular veins towards the guiding catheter. This technique aims to improve the effectiveness of the aspiration thrombectomy by facilitating the removal of clots and potentially reducing the risk of residual clots, which can lead to complications like venous ulcers.

What are the traditional treatments for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and how does the calf-squeeze technique compare?

Traditional treatments for DVT include medication and more invasive procedures. The calf-squeeze technique offers a complementary approach by enhancing the effectiveness of aspiration thrombectomy. This involves using a guiding catheter to remove blood clots. The calf-squeeze technique is designed to improve outcomes and potentially minimize complications, representing a step forward in managing acute lower extremity DVT compared to solely relying on medication or invasive procedures.

Who might benefit from the calf-squeeze technique, and what specific areas of the legs are targeted?

Patients with acute lower extremity DVT, particularly those experiencing leg edema or pain, may benefit from the calf-squeeze technique. The technique is applied to encourage the migration of thrombi from the popliteal, tibial, and muscular veins. This approach is particularly useful in cases where blood clots affect the iliac and femoral veins, as demonstrated in the study led by Jae-A Lee, M.D., and colleagues.

What were the results of the study integrating the calf-squeeze technique with aspiration thrombectomy, and what does this mean for patients?

The study showed that the calf-squeeze technique, used in conjunction with aspiration thrombectomy, achieved successful recanalization in all patients (100%) without any complications. While some patients had residual thrombus in the soleal muscular veins after the procedure, none had thrombi in the popliteal and tibial veins, and no DVT recurred during follow-up. This indicates that the calf-squeeze technique can improve the outcomes and potentially reduce the risk of future blood clots.

What are the next steps for the calf-squeeze technique in DVT treatment, and what limitations were observed?

While the initial results are promising, further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger populations. The study highlights the value of the calf-squeeze technique in enhancing aspiration thrombectomy for acute lower extremity DVT. One limitation is that some patients still had residual thrombus in specific veins, such as the soleal muscular veins, after the procedure. Further studies could focus on optimizing the technique to address this, including exploring the frequency and duration of the calf-squeeze maneuvers. The potential benefits, such as reduced complications and improved success rates, warrant further investigation to establish its widespread application in DVT treatment.