Thrombolytic Therapy (DVT)
At Providence, we’re dedicated to treating the life-changing symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, diseased arteries, atherosclerosis and similar conditions. With compassion and empathy, our cardiovascular teams work to treat these conditions through comprehensive thrombolytic procedures.
Sometimes, whether due to heart disease, diet, or even just sitting for long periods of time, our blood can begin to flow slowly, causing our veins to clog. When these blood clots happen to major or deep veins, it is known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
Thrombolytic therapy, or thrombolysis for short, is the use of specific medications called thrombolytics to help break down blood clots within major arteries. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is mainly used to treat deep vein thrombosis, a condition where dangerous blood clots form in major veins.
During a catheter-directed thrombolytic treatment, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into your body (through a small incision, often in the leg) and carefully guided to the specific point in the vein where the clot is located. Once there, the tip of the catheter releases the thrombolytic drugs to help dissolve the clot.
The procedure itself is minimally-invasive and can be performed under mild sedation or general anesthesia. Patients who undergo catheter-directed thrombolysis procedure typically leave the hospital the same day. If this isn’t feasible in your case, you’ll stay overnight in a recovery room and be monitored and cared for by our dedicated cardiovascular team.
As with any procedure, some complications and side effects may arise. For a catheter-directed thrombolysis, these include bleeding, infection, or damaged blood vessels.
You can rest easy knowing your cardiovascular surgeons at Providence are using the latest in fluoroscopic digital imaging equipment to guide their practice and help reduce potential complications and risks.