Midwest Vein and Laser - Dayton Ohio > hospital procedures

What types of conditions may require treatment in a hospital?

While most venous conditions are able to be treated on an out-patient basis in our state-of-the art offices, some vein problems are most effectively treated in a hospital environment. Problems most likely to require treatment in a hospital are conditions of the deep veins in a patient’s muscles or large veins located in the pelvis or abdomen.


What are deep vein conditions and how are they treated?

Just like when there is pain from blockage of the arteries in the legs blocked deep veins can cause leg pain too. The blood cannot get back to the heart to recirculate and backs up causing the leg to swell and be painful.

The most common problem would be a blood clot that has formed in the vein blocking the flow. Depending on where the blockage is treatment would consist of putting the patient on a blood thinner to prevent more blood clots forming and doing blood work to see why a clot formed in the first place. If the blood clot is higher in the leg it may be best treated with placing a small catheter directly in the blood clot and dripping in some clot dissolving medicine. This treatment has been shown to be very effective and help prevent serious chronic leg problems call “post phlebitic syndrome” where the leg never returns to normal and patient suffers from chronic leg swelling and pain.


What are vein conditions of the pelvis and how are they treated?


1) May-Thurner Syndrome

May-Thurner Syndrome is a vein condition of the pelvis. This is where the artery in the pelvis crosses over the vein causing a partial blockage. Eventually, a scar may form and further block the vein. This blockage causes blood to back up and increases the likelihood of blood clots forming in a patient’s legs. These clots, in turn, can cause severe leg swelling and pain.

May-Thurner syndrome is best treated by dissolving the existing blood clots and opening the blocked vein with balloons and stents.


2) Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Just as there are leaky veins in the legs that can cause leg pain there can be leaking veins in the pelvis in some women causing them pelvic pain as well. This can sometimes be difficult to diagnose and may require CT scan, MRI or even venograms to evaluate whether there are leaking veins. If leaking veins are found they can be treated by isolating the vein and blocking it using a small catheter.


3) Filter Placement

Blood clots in the deep veins of the legs can be a serious condition, especially if they travel to the lungs. If a patient cannot be treated with blood thinners or has failed such treatment a filter (IVC Filter) is sometimes required to be placed in the main vein in the abdomen to catch and stop any blood clots from getting to the lungs where they pose the greatest risk to a patient’s health.


How do I know if my condition requires hospital treatment?

Each patient’s situation is unique and treatment options will be explained by our experienced doctors. It is important that all patients understand and are comfortable with their treatment decisions.

Midwest Vein and Laser provides free consultation of treatment options to all patients. If you’d like to discuss options for you, we’re happy to answer all of your questions.


Blood clots forming in deep veins
Severe leg swelling in May-Thurner patient with blocked vein
Pelvic pain can be caused by congested leaking veins
Filter is placed in the main vein in the abdomen to prevent clots reaching the lungs