While many people experience problems with varicose or spider veins, there are a few people who develop more serious, life-threatening venous conditions requiring different treatments. For example, deep vein thrombosis is a condition that results in dangerous blood clots forming within veins deep inside the body. May-Thurner syndrome is another serious vascular condition that results in the walls of specific veins becoming compressed. Special treatments have been developed to address the issues that these conditions cause.
Dangerous clots that can form within blood vessels can be disintegrated using a technique called thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytic therapy is used to provide sometimes lifesaving intervention in situations where blood clots compromise the patient’s health. If a clot is large enough, it is possible for it to travel to vital organs and become lodged in ways that can cause a heart attack or stroke, among other problems.
Another deep venous treatment commonly used is the placement of a stent. Stenting is a straight-forward and precise technique during which a specialist places a thin mesh-like tube, or a stent, into a vessel to expand, support, and facilitate blood flow through the vein. The stent is compressed when initially guided into the vein and, once placed corrected, expands to fill the vessel. Once placed, the stent will be left inside the vein to permanently continue to maintain healthy circulation through the vein.
Other serious venous conditions and corresponding treatments exist, and any individual who feels they may be at risk of a potentially life-threatening vascular problem should consult a specialist immediately. Taking advantage of the advancements made in vascular medicine has allowed many individuals to manage their venous conditions successfully.
