Our interventional radiologists are experts in treating symptomatic blood clots, also known as Deep Venous Thrombosis or DVT. These blood clots most commonly effect the legs, but can also occur in the arms or in the main chest vein called the Superior Vena Cava (SVC). Patients with blood clots can suffer with severe swelling and pain that if untreated or inadequately treated can lead to serious long term symptoms such as post phlebitic syndrome. When the arms are affected the disease is often referred to as “Effort Thrombosis” or “Paget-von Schrötter syndrome.” In cases where the face, head, or neck is swollen, it is referred to as “SVC Syndrome.”
We use a combination of minimally invasive techniques to treat blood clots. These include venous thrombectomy, which is the mechanical breaking up and removal of blood clots to restore blood flow and allow the swelling to resolve. Often thrombectomy is performed in combination with thrombolysis, which is a technique involving injecting clot dissolving medication directly into the clots. Angioplasty and stenting are techniques that reopen narrowed veins that can occur with the presence of blood clots. This allows for more normal restoration of blood flow.