Vacuum Method Breaks Up DVT Blood Clots

Lingering deep vein clots can cause serious trouble, doctors warn

By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter

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FRIDAY, March 2 (HealthDay News) -- A new non-surgical treatment for the removal of blood clots appears to be safer, faster and more effective than traditional therapies in reducing the risk for pulmonary embolism and disability among patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

DVT involves a blood clot in a vein, usually in the lower leg or thigh. In some cases, the clot can break off and move up into the lung, triggering a potentially fatal condition called pulmonary embolism. DVTs gained media prominence as so-called "economy class syndrome" after a number of passengers on long-haul flights developed the dangerous condition.

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But the new clot-removal method, called the "rapid lysis" technique, could offer fresh hope to patients.

"There's a tremendous benefit to patients as a result of this technique," said study lead author Dr. Mark J. Garcia, an interventional radiologist in the department of radiology at Christiana Care Health System in Wilmington, Del.

His team's findings were scheduled to be presented Friday at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology in Seattle.

DVT clots develop in situations where circulation slows down, causing blood to pool. Although it can strike at any age, the risk is highest among men and women over the age of 60. Patients being treated for cancer and those experiencing surgery, injury, or prolonged immobility are also at an elevated risk, as are women in the early stages of pregnancy and patients who have varicose veins or who are overweight.

Standard treatment typically involves injectable or pill-form blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, which can prevent the formation of new clots and halt the growth of clots already formed.

Such treatment does not, however, help to dissolve an existing clot. While most clots eventually dissolve on their own, large clots provoking severe symptoms may not. In such instances, clots can be dissolved by means of a thrombolytic drug delivered by catheter.

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