Treat Venous Diseases | MedStar Health

Advanced options to treat venous diseases

The goal of treatment is to improve blood flow back to the heart and reduce the risk of complications, such as bleeding or blood clots—known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We can manage some disorders with medication, but we also perform minimally invasive procedures and surgery to treat more complex conditions.

The experts in our Vein Program and Vascular and Endovascular Program have experience in handling serious vascular issues as well as cosmetic conditions.

Medications

Several venous diseases can cause clots to form in your blood vessels, which can cause a stroke. Your doctor may recommend anticoagulant medications to change your blood’s clotting ability and minimize the risk of blood clots forming.

In emergency situations, your doctor may use thrombolysis to deliver medication directly to the clot using a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) inserted into your blood vessel.

Procedures

Your doctor may recommend a procedure to open narrow veins, filter blood clots or close damaged veins:

  • Angioplasty: A catheter is guided through a blood vessel to the narrow area and is widened using a balloon or laser.

  • IVC filters: A filtering device is placed within the large vein in your abdomen that catches blood clots traveling to the heart.

  • Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency is used to seal large, damaged varicose veins.

  • Sclerotherapy: Injection of a solution that causes small varicose veins to close off.

  • Surgical bypass: A graft can be placed to allow blood to travel around a damaged section of a vein.

  • Vein ligation and stripping: Enlarged veins can be removed or tied off through small incisions.

Vein program

Improve your appearance, decrease pain, and prevent serious complications caused by varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and other venous conditions with minimally invasive treatment from our vascular team.

Conditions

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition in which the veins in the legs malfunction and allow blood to leak backward, causing blood to pool in the legs and putting increased pressure on the veins.

Leg and Foot Ulcers

Open sores that are long-lasting, keep returning, and are resistant to treatment.

Leg Aneurysms

A leg aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel that can cause blood clots or reduced blood flow.

Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome

Pelvic venous congestion syndrome is a type of varicose vein that affects women’s pelvic veins and can cause chronic pain.

Superficial Thrombophlebitis

Superficial thrombophlebitis is a blood clot near the surface of the skin that causes inflammation of the vein, leading to redness and swelling.

Varicose & Spider Veins

Varicose and spider veins occur when the veins near the surface of the skin become enlarged and twisted.

Venous Aneurysm

A venous aneurysm is a bulge along a weakened wall of a vein, most often in your legs, abdomen, or throat.

Venous Disease

Venous disease refers to a number of conditions that affect the flow of blood through the veins.

Venous Thrombosis

Venous thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in your veins.

Venous Tumors

Venous tumors are tumors that grow on or in veins.

Ventricular Aneurysm

A ventricular aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel of the heart that can appear as a result of a heart attack.

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 used to create images of your heart and blood vessels.

Our locations

Distance from Change locationEnter your location

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital

5601 Loch Raven Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21239

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

201 E. University Pkwy.
Baltimore, MD 21218

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

7503 Surratts Rd.
Clinton, MD 20735

MedStar Harbor Hospital

3001 S. Hanover St.
Baltimore, MD 21225

MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center

9000 Franklin Square Dr.
Baltimore, MD 21237

MedStar St Mary's Hospital

25500 Point Lookout Rd.
Leonardtown, MD 20650

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

3800 Reservoir Rd. NW
Washington, DC, 20007

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

110 Irving St. NW
Washington, DC 20010

MedStar Montgomery Medical Center

18101 Prince Philip Dr.
Olney, MD 20832

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.