What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. DVT is most common in the legs, but it can also occur in the arms, pelvis or other areas of the body. The greatest danger for people with DVT is a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening blood clot that forms in a vein and travels to the lungs, which can block the lung’s blood supply and cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and other symptoms. Although PE is uncommon, it can lead to serious complications and can be deadly if it is not diagnosed and quickly treated.
How is Deep Vein Thrombosis Treated?
Doctors use medications such as blood thinners to treat DVT and keep new clots from forming. When medications aren’t working or for more serious clots, interventional radiologists use a variety of techniques to treat new clots and reopen veins that have established blockages:
- Thrombolysis and thrombectomy are minimally invasive procedures used to treat new blood clots.
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters can be placed in the inferior vena cava vein to catch blood clots. The filter does not stop new clots from forming.
What is thrombolysis/thrombectomy?
In a thrombolysis procedure, an interventional radiologist inserts a catheter into a vein and advances it to the clot, where it releases clot-dissolving drugs. In a thrombectomy, an interventional radiologist uses a catheter tipped with tiny metal coil to mechanically break up the clot. These procedures are sometimes used together to treat very large clots or for people at high risk of developing a pulmonary embolism. Because thrombolysis has a high, although manageable, complication rate, is usually reserved for emergencies.
FAQs
How do I get ready for the procedure?
Patients who are preparing for a thrombolysis/thrombectomy should eat a light meal on the night before the procedure, and they should not eat or drink anything after midnight. Our staff will provide you with more detailed information about which medications you may take in days before and on the morning of the procedure. You should arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.
What will happen during the procedure?
When you arrive at the interventional radiology suite, you will change into a gown and then you will lie on the procedure table. We will intravenously give you “conscious sedation” medications to help you relax and block any pain. Using X-ray and ultrasound image guidance, the interventional radiologist will insert a catheter (a long, thin tube) into a small incision in a vein either below your knee or in your groin and guide it through the vein to the clot. Using a catheter equipped with holes along the sides, we will release a clot-dissolving drug directly into the clot to dissolve it, and in some cases, we will also mechanically break up the clot using a catheter tipped with a tiny tool. Once the clot is removed, we will remove the catheter and close the incisions. The length of the procedure is about one to three hours.
Are there any risks?
Bleeding from the needle puncture is the most common complication of thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Other complications include an allergic reaction to the clot-busting medication, low blood pressure, and post-thrombotic syndrome (swelling, pain, and sores at the puncture site). Very rarely, intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain tissue) can occur.
After the procedure
When the procedure is complete, you will rest in the recovery area and receive intravenous fluids, antibiotics to prevent infection, and painkillers to relieve discomfort at the catheter insertion site. As soon as any bleeding from the insertion site has stopped and your vital signs are normal, you can be discharged home.
Our Approach to Care
Comprehensive and Patient-Centered Care
At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, you, the patient, are at the center of our approach to superior imaging and treatments that meet your individualized needs. Our fellowship-trained Columbia interventional radiologists perform all procedures. We explain the findings to you in easy-to-understand terms and work closely with your healthcare team so you can make educated and informed choices about your care.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
Our interventional radiologists collaborate in multidisciplinary teams with NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital’s highly skilled and dedicated physicians in specialties such as Internal Medicine, Oncology, Surgery, Urology, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Cardiology, and Pulmonology to provide compassionate care that is specifically tailored to your needs.
Why Choose Us
World-Class Interventional Radiology Expertise
Our board-certified interventional radiologists from ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, offer unmatched expertise and experience in the latest minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat disease in the most complicated patients. Our team includes some of the most nationally and internationally renowned and respected interventional radiologists. In addition to caring for patients, they are also involved in educating residents, fellows, and medical students and in a wide range of research endeavors. Our interventional radiologists frequently collaborate with specialists throughout the NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare network, placing them at the forefront of advanced medical imaging and minimally invasive treatments.
Expertise in Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Thrombolysis and thrombectomy for Deep Vein Thrombosis are complex and challenging procedures that require expertise and a cautious approach. At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, our board-certified interventional radiologists from ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, offer unmatched expertise and experience in thrombolysis and thrombectomy, even in the most complicated patients.
Cutting-Edge Technologies
At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, we are continually committed to incorporating the latest cutting-edge imaging technologies into your care, including X-ray fluoroscopy, computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound. Each new generation of equipment provides better outcomes and reduces the patient’s exposure to radiation.
Empowering Patients with Information
We encourage all prospective patients and their families to learn as much as possible about their medical condition and the available treatment options. Our interventional radiologists are available for consultations to confirm a diagnosis, get a second opinion, or help evaluate their treatment options.
Book Radiology Appointments via NYP.org/Connect
Patients can book Radiology appointments online via NYP.org/Connect as long as the patient has an Epic Order. Radiology appointments for X-Ray, ultrasound, bone density, echocardiogram, and limited CT and MRI scans.