Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment in Houston, TX
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot, known as a thrombus, in the deep leg vein. It is a very serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the leg, known as post-thrombotic syndrome, or a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. The deep veins that lie near the center of the leg are surrounded by powerful muscles that contract and force deoxygenated blood back to the lungs and heart for recirculation. One-way valves prevent the back flow of blood between the contractions. (Blood is squeezed up the leg against gravity and the valves prevent it from flowing back to our feet.) When the circulation of the blood slows down due to illness, injury or inactivity, blood can accumulate or “pool,” which provides an ideal setting for clot formation.
Catheter-directed DVT thrombolysis is a minimally invasive procedure performed by Synergy Vascular and Interventional doctors to treat DVT. During the procedure, our highly-trained and board-certified interventional radiologist guides a small catheter to the site of the DVT, where a special “clot-busting” drug is administered directly into the clot, effectively dissolving it to remove the danger to the patient.
DVT thrombolysis has been shown to completely break down DVT blood clots more effectively than anticoagulation medication, as well as maintain better blood flow within the veins. Risks are minimal, and it can help to minimize future scarring of the veins from DVT. It is an outpatient procedure, and may require a 1-2 night hospital stay depending on the age of the clot.
Read more about DVT here.
Synergy Vascular and Interventional serves 10 hospital and outpatient imaging centers in the greater Houston area. We have locations in Houston, Pearland, Humble, Webster, Katy, Cypress and The Woodlands. Please call (713) 621-7436 to schedule your DVT.