Woodland Heights Medical Center First In Area To Offer New Treatment Options For Blood Clots
8/2/2023
Lufkin, TX – Woodland Heights Medical Center is the first in the Lufkin/Nacogdoches area to utilize a new treatment for pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. It is the first mechanical thrombectomy device FDA indicated and purpose built for this treatment.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically occurs when a blood clot forms in the legs and pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a part of the clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream and causes a blockage of blood flow to the lungs1. The blockage of blood flow results in right heart strain as the right ventricle is unable to push blood past the clot. In severe cases, right heart failure may occur leading to a fatal event.
“Deep venous thrombosis is the main cause of pulmonary embolism, which is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death only after heart attack and stroke,” states Erica Fidone, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, interventional cardiologist with Woodland Heights Cardiology. “This new system will provide treatment that will not rely on blood thinners or aggressive thrombolytic therapy which have their own inherent risks and for which every patient is not a candidate.”
Anticoagulation or blood thinner is the most common treatment for pulmonary embolism. However, anticoagulation only prevents new clots from forming and will not actively break down existing clots. Intervention with thrombolytics (tPA) or “clot busting” drugs help to dissolve clots for patients with intermediate-risk or high-risk pulmonary embolism. Conversely, this treatment is associated with a higher risk of major and fatal bleeding and requires an ICU stay2.
“Patients now have a safer, less invasive option for the treatment PE and DVT that can immediately relieve their symptoms and improve their vital signs and significantly affect their long-term quality of life for the better,” said Dr. Fidone, who has performed dozens of these procedures. “Staying on the leading edge of cardiac care is important for our patients and we are excited to bring this new technology to deep East Texas.”
Pictured: Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Erica Fidone, M.D., FACC, FSCAI
References:
1 Beckman MG, Hooper WC, Critchley SE, Ortel TL. Venous thromboembolism: a public health concern. Am J Prev Med. 2010 Apr;38(4 Suppl):S495-501. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.12.017. PMID: 20331949
2 Chatterjee S. Thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism and risk of all-cause mortality, major bleeding and intercranial hemorrhage. JAMA 2014; 311(23):2414-2421
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