Desert Endovascular Center
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Deep Vein Leg Clots (DVT)

Blood Clots that form in the deep veins of the lower legs (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT) can cause chronic swelling and leg pain when walking. Inflammation can occur, causing redness, warm skin and tenderness. Risk factors are inactivity, obesity, family history, age over 60, type A blood group, pregnancy, hormones/birth-control pills, and certain diseases. There is a risk that the clots will move to the lung (pulmonary embolism) or heart -- a potentially life-threatening complication. This is diagnosed with This is diagnosed with ultrasound, MRI or dye study. Interventional radiologists treat DVT by dissolving the clot with a specific medicine. This treatment opens up blood flow and may prevent permanent damage to the blood vessels, a common side effect of DVT. Treatment might include insertion of a Vena Cava Filter into the large vein in your abdomen to catch and break up blood clots. Your doctor may also put you on blood thinners.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis

Catheter-directed thrombolysis is performed under imaging guidance by interventional radiologists. This procedure, performed in a hospital's interventional radiology suite, is designed to rapidly break up the clot, restore blood flow within the vein, and potentially preserve valve function to minimize the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome. The interventional radiologist inserts a catheter into the popliteal (located behind the knee) or other leg vein and threads it into the vein containing the clot using imaging guidance. The catheter tip is placed into the clot and a "clot busting" drug is infused directly to the thrombus (clot). The fresher the clot, the faster it dissolves - one to two days. Any narrowing in the vein that might lead to future clot formation can be identified and treated by the interventional radiologist with a balloon angioplasty or stent placement.

Venous stasis disease

Venous stasis refers to loss of proper function of the veins in the legs that would normally carry blood back toward the heart.

DVT can also damage a valve in the vein, leading to a chronic, difficult-to-treat condition called venous stasis disease.
About Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiologists are board-certified physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments that have less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery. They use their expertise in interpreting X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and other diagnostic imaging studies to understand, visualize and diagnose the full scope of the disease's pathology and to map out the procedure tailored to the individual patient. Then during the procedure, they image as they go to guide tiny instruments, such as catheters, through blood vessels or skin, to treat diseases at the site of the illness nonsurgically.

Interventional radiology is a recognized medical specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Interventional radiologists complete preliminary training in Diagnostic Radiology and advanced training in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. The American Board of Radiology certifies their specialized training.