VENOUS THROMBECTOMY

Venous thrombectomy is a procedure that involves the surgical removal of a clot in the vein. It is rarely performed in the United States since it can sometimes lead to the removal of some of the vein lining resulting in an increased risk for repeat clot formation. Vein Clinics in Jackson Heights normally reserve the procedure for patients that have severe DVT and those in whom the symptoms have been present for less than 7 days. Venous thrombectomy is also useful in patients that are pregnant, patients that cannot take anticoagulants or patients that do not respond to anticoagulants.

Heart doctors in Jackson Heights identify a host of risk factors that may increase the complications associated with venous thrombectomy. These include patients above the age of 65, patients with bleeding tendencies, hypertension, congestive heart failure, poor kidney function or allergies to contrast dyes.

When your Jackson Heights Cardiologist suspects deep vein thrombosis, he/she may perform an ultrasound or venography to confirm the diagnosis. The actual procedure is carried out in a hospital operating room following the administration of the blood thinner heparin. A catheter sheath is inserted through a small incision in the femoral vein in the groin or a vein below the knee. A contrast dye is injected though the sheath allowing the physician to view the procedure on an X-ray screen. The entire procedure lasts between two to three hours if there are no major complications.

Following the completion of the venous thrombectomy, you vascular doctor in Jackson Heights will apply compression bandages to the operated leg to reduce any swelling. Patients are often advised to walk for 15 minutes and rest for 45 minutes, repeating this for 6 hours after the procedure. Once any swelling has subsided, the patient is fitted with compression stockings. Any unusual bleeding, bruising, nosebleeds, backaches, abdominal pains or abdominal swelling should be reported immediately to your vascular doctor in Jackson Heights.