I have seen a vein specialist and they told me that I have abnormal veins in my right leg and a blood clot in a superficial vein. I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and they told me that I need to get the laser treatment done before my due date. They don't want to wait 'til after the baby is born because they are worried about the blood clot traveling during labor and getting worse. Is it safe to have a laser treatment during my pregnancy?
The vein specialist you are seeing should be able to answer all your concerns. If you are not satisfied or not sure, please see another vein specialist for a second opinion.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Most surgeons will not perform surgical procedures on a pregnant patient unless there is an emergency. There is nothing about this case that sounds emergent. Superficial thrombophlebitis may propagate into the deep vein veins, but rarely dislodges.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The treatment of superficial venous thrombosis depends on which superficial vein is involved. If it is a great saphenous vein thrombosis above the knee, patients are frequently placed on anticoagulation. Lovenox is safe during pregnancy and could be utilized in this scenario. There is no research on the topic of endovenous laser during pregnancy. However, due to the potential for toxicity to the fetus arising from heated blood, I usually recommend against EVLT during pregnancy if possible.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A new blood clot in a superficial varicose vein is not an indication for the laser treatment. You should be reevaluated three months after you deliver.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A superficial blood clot can be painful, but is harmless. It just needs to be monitored for progression. As for the laser, it can be done while pregnant but there is really no indication to do it in your case and definitely not urgently. In reality, many of your vein issues will improve after delivery. Re-evaluate after delivery. Also in most cases, doing only a laser is inadequate treatment for most people. The entire leg should be treated, which can not be done while pregnant.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This really depends on where the clot is. If it is truly in a superficial vein in the lower leg and is stable, the chance of it migrating to a deep vein is low. But if it is in the upper thigh and the clot is in a larger superficial vein, then a thorough ultrasound evaluation is necessary to assess the status of the clot and if there are any potential clots that may extend to the deep veins. Risk assessment for the laser procedure should be done with your OB-GYN and the vein surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is safe to have a laser vein treatment in your third trimester. The procedure is done under local and tumescent anesthesia and no sedation is required.
Published on Jul 11, 2012