Thrombolysis

What is thrombolysis?

Thrombolysis, also known as thrombolytic therapy, is a nonsurgical treatment that uses medications to break up blood clots. The team at American Vascular Specialists uses thrombolysis to treat conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which involves blood clots in your legs, groin, or upper extremities. 

Without treatment, a piece of blood clot can break off and travel to other parts of your body, such as your lungs. When a blood clot travels to your lungs, it’s called a pulmonary embolism (PE). This dangerous condition can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and even death. 

During thrombolysis treatment, your American Vascular Specialists provider uses a thin tube (catheter) to guide clot-dissolving medication directly to the site of DVT or PE.

Why would I need thrombolysis?

The team at American Vascular Specialists may perform thrombolysis if you have DVT or a PE that doesn’t resolve with blood-thinning medication. After thrombolysis, you should experience significantly fewer symptoms of DVT, including pain and swelling. 

Thrombolysis may also minimize damage to the inside of your blood vessels, reducing your risk of persistent swelling (chronic venous insufficiency). This treatment may also prevent associated symptoms, such as skin discoloration and sores that won’t heal. 

What does thrombolysis entail?

The team at American Vascular Specialists may perform thrombolysis as an emergency intervention if you have symptoms of a PE, heart attack, or stroke. 

They give you medication to help you relax and then numb the treatment area with a local anesthetic. Your American Vascular Specialists provider makes a small incision, usually in your groin, neck, or behind your knee, and inserts a catheter into a vein. They administer medication through the catheter and may use a small device to break up or suction the clot. 

If they find a narrowed area in your blood vessel that may have led to the clot, your American Vascular Specialists provider may treat it in the same procedure. Depending on your needs, they may insert a stent or use balloon angioplasty. Then, they remove the catheter and close your incision.

For advanced expertise in thrombolysis, call American Vascular Specialists, or book an appointment online today.