The venous system is made up of veins, or the vessels that return blood to the heart. Blood clots in the venous system can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes these cause problems like swelling or pain. Some of the most common sources of venous clots are from having an intravenous line, or from trauma or injury to the vein wall. Occasionally repetitive motion can also injure the vein and cause a clot to form. Treating these venous clots is important so that they do not travel to other places in the body and obstruct blood flow.
Typically two treatment options are discussed when dealing with venous blockages: thrombolytic drugs and stents. Thrombolytic drugs are used to dissolve the clot. They are administered intravenously over a 12 hour period. Stents can also be used in the venous vessels to widen any narrowed sections. Stenting is a procedure in which a tiny, slender metal-mesh tube is fitted inside a vessel to increase the flow of blood. The stent is inserted following a procedure called angioplasty, in which the physician guides a balloon-tipped catheter into the vessel. The balloon is inflated and presses against the plaque, pressing it into the vessel walls and re-opening the vessel. The stent acts as scaffolding to prevent the vein from collapsing or being closed by plaque after the procedure is completed.
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