Definition: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is when you develop clots in the large veins of your extremities. Extensive clot in the legs may lead to severe swelling, severe pain, discoloration, and may even become limb threatening.
Treatment: Interventional radiology helps with the most severe cases of acute DVT by either manually retrieving the clot through catheter devices or instilling clot busting medication directly into the clot (i.e., catheter directed lysis).
Definition: Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition where clots migrate from the body to the lungs. With larger clots, this can place significant strain on the heart which can be life-threatening.
Treatment: Interventional radiology helps the most severe cases of pulmonary embolism by either manually retrieving the clot catheter guided to the lungs or by instilling clot busting medication directly into the clot (i.e., catheter directed lysis).
Definition: The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the largest vein returning blood to the heart.
Treatment: Occasionally, a temporary IVC filter may be placed to capture any large clots before they reach the heart and lungs. Placement of an IVC filter is performed through a small catheter in the vein and takes less than 30 minutes to perform. Retrieval is recommended as soon as the filter is no longer indicated. Recently placed filters (less than 2 years) are retrieved through a small catheter in the vein and the procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes. We also use advanced endovascular techniques to perform complex IVC filter retrieval for previously placed “permanent” filters or difficult to retrieve filters.
Definition: Post thrombotic or congenital changes to the venous anatomy in the abdomen and pelvis can alter how the blood returns to the heart. Severe disease in the inferior vena cava (IVC) or iliac veins can cause severe leg swelling, severe leg pain, recurrent clotting in the legs, and eventually leg wounds may form.
Treatment: Venous disease in the abdomen and pelvis can be diagnosed and treated through minimally invasive outpatient procedures.
Definition: Vascular malformations, sometimes referred to as hemangiomas or AVMs, can cause varying levels of dysfunction, disfiguration, and pain. These can occur anywhere in the body and are often diagnosed in childhood. Occasionally, these can become symptomatic in adulthood and often initially go undiagnosed until symptoms progress.
Treatment: The majority of these malformations may be treated through sclerotherapy and other minimally invasive techniques which greatly reduces the disease burden.
