New clot-busting technique can prevent leg pains and heart failure

Deep vein thrombosis risk factors

  • Previous DVT or family history of DVT
  • Immobility, such as bed rest or sitting for long periods of time
  • Recent surgery
  • Above the age of 40
  • Hormone therapy or oral contraceptives
  • Pregnancy or post-partum
  • Previous or current cancer
  • Limb trauma and/or orthopedic procedures
  • Coagulation abnormalities
  • Obesity

Symptoms

  • Discoloration of the legs
  • Calf or leg pain or tenderness
  • Swelling of the leg or lower limb
  • Warm skin
  • Surface veins become more visible
  • Leg fatigue

Source: Society of Interventional Radiology

On the web: For more information on DVT, go to:
www.sirweb.org/patPub/
DVTOverview.shtml

Evidence is mounting that thrombolysis is very effective in treating Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a serious condition in which a blood clot forms in the deep leg vein. DVT is responsible for 200,000 deaths per year – more than AIDS and breast cancer combined.

The emerging clot-busting procedure, performed by radiologists at Backus, can prevent long term leg problems and drastically improve quality of life for patients, said Herb Lustberg, MD, Chief of Interventional Radiology at Backus Hospital.

Thrombolysis involves directing a special catheter into the affected area, where it rapidly sprays medication that breaks up the clot into tiny pieces. This procedure also helps prevent future problems, such as post-thrombotic syndrome, which can be painful and affect quality of life.

“There has been a shift in treatment techniques for DVT,” Dr. Lustberg said. “Thrombolysis can now be performed in a safer, quicker and more effective manner. Recovery time is faster, hospital stay is reduced – it’s an excellent option for patients.”

DVT can result in life threatening pulmonary embolism, or more chronically, post thrombotic syndrome, which causes pain and limited activity.

According to the Society of Interventional Radiology, 600,000 new cases of DVT are diagnosed each year in the U.S., and one in every 100 people diagnosed dies.

Left untreated, blood clots can break off and get trapped in the lung, where they can block oxygen supply (known as a pulmonary embolism), and cause heart failure or death.

With early thrombolysis treatment, people with DVT can reduce their chances of developing a pulmonary embolism, and combined with blood thinners, further clotting can be prevented.

If the condition has progressed further, Steven Powell, MD, a pulmonologist on the Backus Medical Staff, said pulmonologists routinely work closely with interventional radiologists to treat life-threatening pulmonary embolisms. He said when patients complain of symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain, tests are conducted to determine the size of the clot and the extent of pulmonary hypertension. Then, if the situation warrants it, they are referred to interventional radiologists.

"We've had quite a bit of success with this," Dr. Powell said. "We've been able to save quite a few lives over the years."