Thrombectomy and thrombolysis are used to treat blood clots within arteries or veins. These can occur for many reasons, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Thrombectomy is the removal of the blood clot, thrombolysis is the destruction of the blood clot.
A flexible catheter is inserted and guided to the location of the clot with the help of fluoroscopy (live x-ray). In thrombolysis, a clot-busting (thrombolytic) chemical is injected directly into the clot so that it dissolves harmlessly. In thrombectomy, the clot is grabbed and then slowly drawn out of the vein or artery.
These are both catheter-guided procedures that our doctors perform at our freestanding facility. The procedure takes about an hour and no overnight stay is required.