Clot Removal, Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment and Prevention

Blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are often treated with medications that thin the blood to prevent additional clotting and allow the body to dissolve the clot.

If the clot is more serious or medication is not helping, our interventional radiologists can use a variety of techniques to treat and remove the clots.

Thrombolysis

Thrombolysis is a minimally invasive procedure. During the procedure, a catheter (long, thin tube) is inserted through a small cut below the knee or in the thigh. Using this catheter, your doctor will deliver medication directly to the clot to break it up.

Thrombectomy

During this minimally invasive procedure, your doctor uses a catheter or device to mechanically break up the clot or remove it entirely with suction. The catheter is inserted through a small cut below the knee or in the thigh.

Thrombolysis and thrombectomy may be used together to break up large clots or for those who have a high risk for pulmonary embolism.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter Placement and Retrieval

For those at high risk for pulmonary embolism, an IVC filter can help prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs. An IVC filter is a small metal device that is placed in the inferior vena cava vein to catch blood clots before they reach the lungs.

Your doctor will insert a catheter through a small cut in the neck or thigh. The closed (often called “collapsed”) IVC filter is attached to the catheter. Once the filter is moved to the target location in your vein, it will be opened and your doctor will remove the catheter. The IVC filter will attach itself to the blood vessel walls. Typically, this procedure takes about an hour.

IVC filters should be monitored regularly and can be safely removed once they are no longer needed.

If you need or have an IVC filter, our interventional radiologists are here to provide you with the expert, comprehensive and compassionate care you need. Our doctors place and remove many IVC filters every year, including complex cases.