Venous Stenting
For the most part venous thrombosis is treated with anticoagulation and occasionally catheter directed thrombolysis. However, despite these efforts, some patients continue to complain of edema and subsequent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While the etiology of each patient’s symptoms is not always the same, many patients with a history of iliac vein DVT have scarring of the veins resulting in subsequent stenosis. This stenosis can cause edema as well as future blood clots. Sometimes, as in May-Thurner disease, this is due to external compression of the veins. In both of these cases, patients often benefit from venous stenting to alleviate symptoms.
Although most patients have an initial ultrasound, a patient’s body habitus may obscure areas of stenosis. Also, computed tomography may not fully visualize areas of venous stenosis due to lack of adequate distension of the veins. Conventional venography helps distend the veins.However, venography shows the surgeon the vessels only in two dimensions. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in combination with venography gives a much more accurate portrayal of areas of venous stenosis. Venography of the iliac veins is performed through an IV in the groin. A wire is placed in the vessel and the IVUS catheter slides over the wire, producing ultrasound images. If stenosis is appreciated, the surgeon will deploy a stent to prop the blood vessel open. This stent is a metal cage that can resist the external forces causing stenosis. The stents remain in place for life.Patients will require initial antiplatelet medications for several months to prevent stent thrombosis.
When it comes to the success rate of a venous stenting procedure, there are several factors that are in play. These include the comorbidities of the patient, the experience of the vascular surgeon, and the extent of a patient’s disease. When patients are looking for the best physician to perform a venous stenting procedure, it is essential that they contact the best vascular surgeon. For patients living on the West coast of Florida from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to Sarasota County seeking the services of the best Florida vascular surgeon, look no further than Dr. Jenna Kazil with the Florida Surgical Clinic located in Bradenton, FL. Dr. Kazil is a gifted vascular surgeon in Bradenton who has the experience necessary to perform a myriad of procedures at a high level. Contact Dr. Kazil, the best surgical specialist with the Florida Surgical Clinic today for more information.
