An interventional cardiologist at McLaren Macomb recently expanded the care offerings at the hospital’s Mat Gaberty Heart Center with the introduction of ClotTriever® Thrombectomy System for the removal of deep vein thrombosis, or DVTs.
ClotTriever allows for the retrieval and removal of large blood clots within large veins in a single session while eliminating the need for thrombolytics (blood-thinning, “clot-busting” medications) associated with traditional treatments and carry a potential for complications. It also avoids the patients’ need for a stay in the intensive care unit.
“DVTs themselves can be quite painful and limit a lot of activity, but where they’re really troublesome are their risk for complications,” Dr. Jay Mohan said. “Traditional treatment options can work over a period of time, but when we have a minimally invasive option that allows us to capture and remove all of it within one session, it’s advantageous for everyone.”
Guided by an ultrasound to determine the clot’s and vein’s locations, a guidewire is inserted and tunneled to the clot. A catheter then follows the guidewire before a sheath is deployed to securely capture the clot to effectively and efficiently remove it.
Upon removal, symptoms immediately improve.
DVTs are blood clots that form in the deep venous system — blood vessels returning blood to the heart — often in the legs, disrupting blood flow and proper circulation. As clots grow, the risk increases for them dislodging and traveling to the heart and lungs (pulmonary embolisms) with potentially life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of DVTs include pain, cramps and swelling in the legs, along with a warm sensation and discoloring in the affected leg.
About McLaren Macomb
McLaren Macomb is a 288-bed acute care hospital located in Mount Clemens, Mich. More than 400 physicians and nearly 2,000 employees work at McLaren Macomb making it one of Macomb County’s top employers. McLaren Macomb provides a full range of services, including cancer and cardiovascular care. As Macomb County’s first verified trauma center, the hospital operates the busiest emergency department in Macomb County and is also an accredited chest pain center. McLaren Macomb has a rich history of providing high quality, compassionate health care and holds a strong position in the community it serves. To learn more, visit mclaren.org/macomb.
About McLaren Health Care
McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is a $6 billion, fully integrated health care delivery system committed to quality, evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 15 hospitals in Michigan and Ohio, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 490-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 588,000 lives in Michigan and Indiana, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. McLaren has 28,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 90,000 network providers throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Learn more at mclaren.org.