NEWS RELEASE
August 3, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DEANNA LEJEUNE
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR
PHONE: (337) 948-5170 FAX: (337) 943-7182
deannalejeune@opelousasgeneral.com
Opelousas General Health System Offers Innovative New Treatment for Blood Clots
Early Clot Treatment for Leg Veins Said to Improve Patient Outcomes
Opelousas, LA, Opelousas General Health System is among the leading edge institutions now using isolated pharmacomechanical thrombolysis with Trellis® Peripheral Infusion System for rapid, safe and effective removal of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs when a clot forms in the deep veins of the leg or arm. It happens to over 600,000 people each year. Left untreated, it can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called Pulmonary Embolism (PE) or a long-term life limiting condition called Post-thrombotic Syndrome (PTS).
The new treatment uses the FDA-cleared Trellis from Bacchus Vascular, Inc., of Santa Clara, CA, to increase the efficiency of thrombolytic or “clot-busting” drugs in mixing with and removing the blood clots. The system is also designed to reduce the risk of bleeding complications that are often associated with the use of thrombolytic drugs. Instead of potentially waiting months to clear up, a DVT can be removed within two hours in most cases.
Dr. Suresh Vedantham, lead investigator for the NIH-funded ATTRACT Trial recently published an article on thrombolysis in the American Journal of Medicine which stated “…use of isolated thrombolysis was associated with successful DVT lysis in 96% of patients…” and “…therapy can be completed in a single procedure session in most patients.”
Historically DVT has been treated with blood thinners, which is called anticoagulation therapy. Anticoagulation alone will help prevent the clot from propagating and can protect against PE. Anticoagulation does not remove the clot, rather it relies on the body’s own internal mechanisms which may take as long as several months.
PTS can occur in as little as one month and is a direct result of injury to the vein due to the long-term presence of clot.
In 2008 three major organizations tasked with providing clinical practices for the care of patients released guidance supporting a more aggressive approach to early removal of DVT.
The National Quality Forum/Joint Commission released consensus standards regarding the prevention and treatment of DVT, which require hospitals to have a plan in place to manage this patient population.
The American College of Chest Physicians published evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for DVT calling for pharmacomechanical thrombolysis in certain types of DVT.
The Office of the Surgeon General issued only its 7th Urgent Call to Action in eleven years focusing on the need to take a proactive approach in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of DVT.
Leading the effort at Opelousas General is Dr Kalyan Veerina, an Interventional Cardiologist with Cardiovascular Institute of the South. Dr. Veerina noted, “DVT or blood clots in veins is a very common medical problem that can lead to serious short and long term consequences. With Trellis Interventional Catheter, we finally have a promising way to help patients at OGHS”. Robert Quist, President/CEO of Opelousas General Health System commented, “We are committed to providing the most technologically advanced procedures available to insure the best possible treatment for the patients who put their trust in us. Dr. Veernia is to be commended for his interventional practices for his patients at the Heart and Vascular Institute at OGHS. We are very lucky to have such a well skilled and experienced physician on our medical staff”.
For additional information on this new technique, please contact Deanna LeJeune @ 948-5170 or visit www.opelousasgeneral.com. Trellis is a registered trademark of Covidien, Inc.
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