Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), a term that includes both Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE), affects nearly one million Americans each year. Acute PE is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death after heart attack and stroke. In an effort to effectively treat these conditions, the interventional radiology team at F.F. Thompson Hospital utilizes venous-designed, mechanical thrombectomy devices that remove large clots through a minimally-invasive procedure.

 The benefits of these techniques include:

• Effective clot removal
• Immediate symptom relief
• Single-session procedure
• No need for thrombolytic drugs and consequent ICU stay

Common symptoms of DVT:

• Leg pain, cramps
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration
• Warmth in affected leg

Common symptoms of PE:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Coughing up blood
• Fainting or dizziness

If you think you may have symptoms of a PE or DVT, please proceed to your nearest emergency department.

F.F. Thompson Hospital is among the first in the region to use FlowTriever^® for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. The FlowTriever^® is the first mechanical thrombectomy device FDA indicated, and purpose built for the treatment of pulmonary embolism, removing large clots from large vessels such as the pulmonary arteries, without the need for thrombolytic drugs and consequent ICU stay.

A pulmonary embolism is caused when blood clots breaks free in the deep veins of the body and travel through the venous system to become lodged in the pulmonary arteries. The blockage of blood flow results in right heart strain as the right ventricle is unable to push blood past the clot. In severe cases, right heart failure may occur leading to a fatal event.  

Anticoagulation or blood thinner is the most common treatment for pulmonary embolism. However, anticoagulation only prevents new clots from forming and will not actively breakdown existing clots. Intervention with thrombolytics (tPA) or “clot busting” drugs help to dissolve clots for patients with intermediate-risk or high-risk pulmonary embolism. Conversely, this treatment is associated with a higher risk of major and fatal bleeding and requires an ICU stay.

The FlowTriever procedure is a clinically proven, minimally-invasive and safe approach for intermediate-risk and high-risk pulmonary embolism patients. The procedure is typically a one-hour, single session procedure that is completed under conscious sedation. The device disrupts and aspirates the clot using nitinol mesh disks and catheters to rapidly remove the clot and restore blood flow.

Patients now have a safer, less invasive option for the treatment of pulmonary embolism that can immediately relieve their symptoms and improve their vital signs, with low bleeding risk, immediate symptom improvement and faster patient recovery.

F.F. Thompson Hospital is among the first in the region to use the ClotTriever^® System for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The ClotTriever^® System is an FDA cleared mechanical thrombectomy device specifically designed to core and collect thrombus from the vein wall in a single session without the need for thrombolytics and consequent ICU stay. 

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of blood clots within a deep vein, predominantly in the legs. Symptoms include lower extremity swelling, redness, warmth, and pain. In more severe cases, clots may detach and travel to the lungs resulting in a pulmonary embolism, which can be a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.

Anticoagulation or blood thinner is the most common treatment for deep vein thrombosis. However, anticoagulation only prevents new clots from forming and will not actively break down existing clots. Intervention with thrombolytics (tPA) or “clot busting” drugs help to dissolve clots for patients with moderate to severe DVT. Conversely, this treatment is associated with a higher risk of major and fatal bleeding and requires an ICU stay.

The ClotTriever procedure is a clinically proven, minimally-invasive and safe approach for iliofemoral DVT. The ClotTriever^® System features a sheath with a self-expanding nitinol mesh funnel and a catheter with a nitinol coring element and braided collection bag designed to core and collect clots for extraction. The procedure is typically completed in less than one hour and patients often experience symptom improvement shortly after the procedure is complete.

Patients suffering from DVT now have an option of a single-session treatment that avoids the use of thrombolytics and ICU stay, with low bleeding risk, immediate symptom improvement and faster patient recovery.