DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis, commonly referred to as "DVT", occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in the large veins of the legs or pelvis. Some DVT’s cause no pain, whereas others are quite painful. A blood clot that forms in the deep veins can be life threatening. A clot that forms in the large, deep veins is more likely to break free and travel through the vein to the lungs. When an embolus travels from the legs or pelvis and lodges in a lung artery, the condition is known as a "pulmonary embolism," or PE, a potentially fatal condition if not immediately diagnosed and treated.
NEW PROCEDURE AVAILABLE January 2009
Minimally Invasive Ultrasonic Thrombolysis
Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT), is directed at prevention of pulmonary embolus, symptom relief, avoiding post thrombotic syndrome (PTS), and providing for thrombus dissolution and preservation of venous valve function. PTS presents as limb edema, pain, venous claudication, and in some cases ulceration. PTS occurs in 25%-50% of patients within 2 years of the first episode of DVT. Anti-coagulation alone fails to meet the goals of treatment. PTS treatment costs exceed $300 million per year and 2 million work days are lost in the United States.
The addition of adjunctive catheter directed pharmacomechanical thrombolysis has been limited due to bleeding, and prolonged procedure requirements. New catheter technology incorporating ultrasonic clot dissolution and concomitant low dose medication delivery now provides for percutaneous interventional procedure times under 60 minutes and a complication rate under 1%. Procedures are performed using local anesthesia. The new procedure for treatment of DVT is now available at Lewistown Hospital.
Candidates for Treatment
- Diagnosis or symptom onset within 14 days
- Iliac and/or femoral-popliteal DVT
- Phlegmasia alba/cerulea dolens
- Iliac and/or femoral vein compression/thrombosis
- Acute occlusive iliac and/or femoral-popliteal venous disease
Please call 717-242-7939 for appointment/scheduling.
