May-Thurner Syndrome
What is May-Thruner Syndrome?
May-Thurner Syndrome(MTS) is when a patient's left iliac vein becomes compressed by their right iliac artery. This compression increases a patient's risk of developing deep vein thrombosis,otherwise known as a DVT or blood clot. A DVT is a blood clot that can develop in the patient's left leg as a result of May-Thurner Syndrome which can block part of or, in some cases, all of the blood flow to the left leg.
Treatment Options
There are a few different treatment options depending on the severity of symptoms and what the doctor decides will work best for you based on your current condition.
Anti-coagulation Therapy
Anti-coagulants, otherwise known as blood thinners, are used to prevent DVT's by thinning the blood to allow it to move through the veins easier. This helps to prevent the blood from clotting and can also keep any existing blood clots from getting bigger.
Catheter-Directed Thrombolytic Therapy
This is a procedure where a thrombolysis, blood clot dissolving medication, is administered using a catheter directly to the blood clot. This usually dissolves the blood clot within a few days.
Angioplasty and Stenting
Angioplasty is a procedure that is used to open up the compressed veins to help restore blood flow. This procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting using a balloon catheter and entering through the groin or arm. The catheter is then guided to the effected vein where the balloon will be used to open up the compressed vein. Some cases can require stenting, this is where a small metal mesh tube, a stent, can be placed into the vein to support and help to keep the vein open. This procedure can be beneficial to treating May-Thurner Syndrome as a stent can be placed into the compressed iliac vein allowing normal blood flow, which can help to relieve symptoms caused by MTS.
Vena Cava Filter
Vena Cava Filter is used in patients that do not respond well to anti-coagulant therapy or for those who cannot take anti-coagulants. The Vena Cava is the largest vein that carries blood throughout the body, placing a filter in this vein through the use of a catheter can greatly reduce the risk of blood clots reaching the heart or lungs. This treatment can help keep blood clots from entering the heart and lungs but this treatment will not prevent any future blood clots from forming.
