Deep Vein Thrombosis(DVT) Treatment

Deep vein thrombosis describes a condition in which blood clots form in the deep veins, usually in the legs. A pulmonary embolus occurs when clots are carried through the heart and to the lungs through the circulation. When the use of anti-clotting or blood-thinning agents is not indicated for the patient, placing a filter into a main vein such as the inferior vena cava can protect the heart and lungs from such clots.

IVC Filter

To place an IVC filter, an interventional radiologist will use imaging technologies such as ultrasound and real-time fluoroscopy to accurately place a filter into the inferior vena cava. The filter is deployed through a catheter into a safe location from which it can trap free-floating clots. Access for this procedure is usually from a vein in the neck or groin.

Most IVC filters currently used can be easily removed by the interventional radiologist after the threat of clotting has past or left in place permanently depending on the patient’s history. These permanent designs are usually safe from movement by any magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

An IVC filter placement or removal can be performed as an outpatient or inpatient procedure and are typically performed under local anesthetic. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to perform.

Venogram

Venograms use X-rays to image blood flow in your veins to search for a blood clot (also known as a thrombus). Focusing on specific areas of the body, venograms give an accurate picture of the state of veins and the valves in the veins.

A venogram is used to assess blood flow in the veins and to locate proper placement sites in veins for medical devices.

A specially formulated dye is injected into veins as a contrasting material.  It is used to help create the picture produced with a venogram. The results of a venogram can show details on areas such as arms, legs, pelvis, veins leading to the heart and veins leaving your kidneys.

Drip Lysis with tPA

When a blood clot is localized to an arm or leg, a special catheter with many sideholes can be placed into the clot and medicine called tPA is slowly infused into the clot to break it down. This sometimes requires an overnight stay.

Trellis 8 Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy

The Trellis 8 system isolates a blood clot and allows for easy treatment to break down the clot for easy aspiration of the liquified clot. The Trellis 8 is an innovative catheter that is placed into the vein behind the knee. Using two balloons to isolate the clot, the device releases a drug called tPA that breaks down the blood clot between the balloons. The liquified clot is then sucked out of the vein. This quick, safe, and efficient procedure minimizes the risk of bleeding and reduces the patient’s risk of post-thrombotic syndrome compared to results one might obtain with blood thinners alone.