New Treatment May Improve Blood Clots

Blood clots can be frightening and even painful, and worse than that may also put our health at risk. But a new procedure is showing promise when it comes to removing blood clots before they can travel which is key in preventing the worst outcomes. Let’s take a look at what we know.

What Causes a Blood Clot?

A blood clot occurs when areas of the blood thicken and form a semi-solid mass. Clotting may result from an injury, or it may occur spontaneously. Some medications may make blood clots more likely. Certain conditions, like heart rhythm problems, obesity, smoking, pregnancy, and genetically inherited blood conditions, might also predispose people to clot.

Some Blood Clots are More Dangerous Than Others

When a blood clot occurs deep within a vein, it’s typically called a DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. These types of blood clots typically develop in the legs but may also appear in other areas of the body. One of the most significant risks with these clots is that they may travel to the heart and lungs, where they may cause myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) or pulmonary embolisms. 

Additional problems with blood clots include pain, swelling, ulcers that won’t heal, and tissue damage. 

What Treatments Exist for Blood Clots?

The most crucial factor to consider when a blood clot develops is how to treat it quickly with the highest chance of success. A common treatment for DVT and other blood clots is anticoagulant medication, otherwise known as blood thinners. If the clot is very severe, or the blood thinners aren’t successful, there are clot-busting medications.

Until now, compression stockings to discourage blood from pooling in the legs, and filters to keep clots from making their way to the lungs or heart, were the non-medication options for people who have blood clots. However, there is now a new treatment, a removal tool has been developed that may be effective for people with DVT.  

How Does the New Removal Tool Work?

Recently approved by the FDA, Control Medical Technology created the Control 11F Mechanical Thrombectomy system to remove large DVTs to minimize the risk for pulmonary embolisms and related problems.

The removal tool effectively removed clots with its first use, which may mean patients who receive this treatment won’t need repeated procedures or other medical interventions for their DVTs. The best part is that the tool can even sometimes remove large clots.

Now, doctors have removed blood clots before, so this may not seem unique but typically these were done using a disposable device that may cost up to $15,000 per patient and may also result in significant blood loss. This new device may reduce both cost and blood loss making it more accessible to more people. 

The device creates better control for clot removal across a wide range of catheters and is more effective than past electric pumps or basic syringes that doctors have used for clot removal in the past. While it may save hospitals and patients money, the most exciting and best part is that it may also present less physical risk to DVT patients.

Now that the FDA has approved this new device, patients who have DVTs may be able to explore other treatment opportunities. Blood clots can lead to devastating outcomes. This new device may help medical professionals remove clots more expediently, save lives and restore quality of life faster and more easily than ever before.  Will you be asking your doctor about it?

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