Minimally invasive treatment to open narrow veins
Multiple venous conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and chronic venous insufficiency and May-Thurner syndrome can cause veins in the legs, chest or abdomen to narrow or become blocked. Your doctor may recommend placement of a wire mesh tube called a stent to open the vein and allow blood to flow more easily.
The doctors in our Vein Program are experts at treating venous disorders using advanced minimally invasive methods. They will work with you to develop a treatment plan for your unique condition to help relieve symptoms and minimize the risk of complications.
What to expect during venous stenting
You may be asked to not eat or drink the day of your procedure. You will have an IV inserted in your hand to provide a sedative to relax you during the stent placement. The doctor will numb the incision site with a local anesthetic and insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter with a balloon attached to the end of it.
Using X-ray guidance, your surgeon will direct the catheter to the narrowed vein. The doctor will then inflate the balloon to press the stent into place and hold open the narrowed vein. The catheter will then be removed, and you will be taken to a recovery area. You may be monitored for several hours following the procedure but will likely be able to return home the same day.
What happens if a venous stent becomes blocked?
Venous stents can also become blocked when clots form inside the stent. Deep vein stent occlusion can occur in a few weeks or years after a venous stent is implanted.
Venous Stent Thrombectomy
Blood colts can block veins. A wire mesh tube called a stent can be implanted to open the vein and allow blood to flow more easily. Venous stents can also become blocked when clots form inside the stent. Deep vein stent occlusion can occur in a few weeks or years after a venous stent is implanted.
In March 2023, MedStar Washington Hospital Center became the first site in the world where the RevCore thrombectomy catheter was used to remove clots and debris from blocked stents. The doctor will numb the incision site with a local anesthetic and insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter with a cutting element at the end of the catheter. Using X-ray guidance, your surgeon will direct the catheter to the blocked venous stent. The cutting element is designed to cut and remove the clots and debris within the stent. This procedure is typically completed within an hour and patients can go home the same day. Most patients return to daily activities within a few days.
Conditions
Claudication
Claudication is muscle pain caused by clogged arteries that reduce blood flow to the muscles.
Venous Occlusion
A condition in which a vein becomes narrowed, blocked or compressed by nearby structures such as muscles, arteries, or other veins.
Tests
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Fluoroscopy
A fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses a continuous X-ray beam passed through the body to create real-time, moving images of your internal structures.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Othman Mohamed-Asem Abdul-Malak, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Suzanne M Benn, FNP-C
Vascular Surgery
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Danielle Bielecki, CRNP
Vascular Surgery
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Kristin Crawley, CRNP
Vascular Surgery
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Angelique Duran, FNP-BC
Vascular Surgery
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Yelena Game, PA-C
Vascular Surgery
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Sadia Ilyas, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Brittany C. Montgomery, AGACNP-BC, APRN, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Mihae Shin- Diep, ACNP-BC
Vascular Surgery
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Qing Shu, PA-C
Vascular Surgery
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Lauren M. Storey, CRNP
Vascular Surgery
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Lisa Anne Yager, CRNP
Vascular Surgery
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Ahmad Abu-Ghaida, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Sarkis Garabet Aghazarian, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Jeffrey Ye-Chang Wang, MD
Vascular Interventional Radiology
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Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar St Mary's Hospital
25500 Point Lookout Rd. Leonardtown, MD 20650
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington, DC, 20007
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.