Fairfax, VA - The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) has joined the newly formed Venous Disease Coalition (VDC). The VDC is a collaborative network of professional and public organizations united by one mission to increase public and health professional awareness of venous disease, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Left untreated, these conditions can be fatal or can damage the vein and cause permanent disability, known as the post-thrombotic syndrome.

It is extremely important for Americans to be aware of DVT in order to protect themselves and their family members. When in the hospital, patients should routinely ask their physicians what measures are being taken to prevent DVT. Patients should also know the common symptoms of DVT and PE, so they can seek prompt medical attention when they occur. "As an interventional radiologist, I have seen many patients suffer from the debilitating effects of the post-thrombotic syndrome if not treated in time. In addition, large blood clots that occur in the groin or above often may be best treated with interventional treatments to break them up." says interventional radiologist Suresh Vedantham, M.D., Vice-Chair of the Venous Disease Coalition.

DVT is the formation of a blood clot, known as a thrombus, in a deep leg vein. DVT affects nearly 1 million Americans each year. Early treatment with blood thinners in the emergency room is important to prevent a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, but blood thinners do not dissolve the existing clot, which remains in the leg. Many patients' clots will dissolve over time, but often the vein and vein valves become irreversibly damaged in
the process, causing post-thrombotic syndrome in about 50 percent of patients treated with blood thinners alone. This results in pooling of blood in the leg, chronic leg pain, swelling and fatigue, and sometimes skin ulcers.

Clots can be treated at their source by interventional radiologists with catheter-directed thrombolysis, using imaging to guide clot-busting drugs and devices directly to the site. "Interventional radiologists can assess
patients who continue to have leg pain from DVT and determine if catheter-directed thrombolysis is needed to clear the clot and prevent disability. This treatment is highly effective when performed within 14 days after symptoms begin," says Vedantham. Interventional radiologists can also treat PE with thrombolysis.

The VDC and its member organizations, including SIR, will be conducting a media briefing September 18 at 12pm in the Zenger Room at the National Press Club located at 529 14th Street in Washington D.C. to discuss the dangers, risk factors, warning signs and treatment options for venous diseases.

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