Most people are familiar with coronary stents placed in the arteries of the heart to improve blood flow. Venous stents function in the same way.
Venous stents are metal mesh tubes that expand against blocked or narrowed vein walls. They act as a scaffold to keep veins open. In most cases, surgeons place venous stents in larger, central veins, such as those found in the:
Venous stents can help people with chronic blood clots or other conditions that compress or narrow the veins, limiting blood flow.
At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, we use venous stents to treat conditions such as:
In addition to taking your medical history and performing a physical exam, your UPMC vascular surgeon may order imaging or other tests.
The most common imaging test — duplex ultrasound — uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your blood vessels and measures the direction and speed of blood flowing through your veins. Ultrasound gives your doctor a clear picture of the structure of your blood vessels and helps to pinpoint the exact location of any narrowing or blockage.
Sometimes, ultrasound may not be effective because of the location of the vein. In this case, your vascular surgeon may suggest a venogram.
A venogram is an x-ray that allows your doctor to see the anatomy of your veins.
After inserting a catheter (thin, flexible tube) into a vein — most often in the leg — your doctor injects a contrast dye into the catheter, which allows your veins to be seen on the x-ray.
Your vascular surgeon can use the venogram to diagnose and treat your condition by performing venous angioplasty and stent placement at the same time if indicated.
Your UPMC vascular surgeon can place most venous stents on an outpatient basis, under moderate sedation.
If a clot or other obstruction is blocking the vein, your surgeon may first perform angioplasty before placing the stent.
During venous angioplasty, your vascular surgeon will:
To place a venous stent, your surgeon will:
In most cases, people who undergo venous stenting go home the same day.
To prevent blood clots from developing, most people must take clopidogrel (Plavix) for a few months.
At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, we are experts at venous stenting. Many of our surgeons are leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions requiring the use of a venous stent.
If venous stenting isn’t the best option for you, we will recommend other treatments that are more appropriate for your individual circumstances.
We are also at the forefront of vascular research. Research programs at UPMC have helped establish some of the practice guidelines doctors use to place venous stents.
To see a vascular specialist at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, complete an appointment request form or call 412-802-3333.
Contact the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. We'll be happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment.