Thrombectomy Specialist

What is a thrombectomy?

A thrombectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot from inside an artery, a blood vessel that carries blood and oxygen throughout your body, or a vein, which delivers blood and waste back to your heart.

When the blood in these vessels becomes thick, the cells can clump together and form a clot. The clot can grow large enough to interfere with your blood flow. When your body’s organs and tissues aren’t receiving enough blood and oxygen due to a clot, they begin to break down and can suffer permanent damage.

The goal of a thrombectomy is to remove the clot and repair the damaged blood vessel to prevent additional complications.

Am I a candidate for a thrombectomy?

You might need a thrombectomy if you have symptoms of a blood clot. The Humble Vascular Surgical Center team recommends scheduling a diagnostic evaluation if you experience unexplained symptoms like:

• Swelling
• Numbness
• Muscle pain
• Enlarged veins
• Organ failure
• Tingling in your arm or leg

Trouble breathing can also signal that you have a clot in or around your lungs.

Based on imaging tests of your blood vessels, your provider might recommend thrombectomy if the clot you have is very large or if you already have damage in your tissues or organs.

What happens during a thrombectomy?

The surgeons at Humble Vascular Surgical Center provide you with anesthesia to relax you during your procedure. You might also need to take a blood-thinning medication to prevent additional clots during your surgery.

To locate the blood clot, the providers might use fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray technology) throughout your surgery. Once they find the clot, your surgeon will make a cut over it, open the blood vessel, and remove the clot.

In some cases, the surgeons use a catheter with an attached balloon to clear the remainder of the clot from your vein or artery. The balloon inflates to widen the vessel, and your provider might place a stent to hold the vessel open so that blood can flow through freely.

How long does it take to recover from a thrombectomy?

Your surgeon closes the vessel with incisions, and blood begins moving through it immediately. You can expect to spend time recovering while the providers monitor your vital signs. You might need to stay in the hospital for a day or two for observation.

Soon after your procedure, you can begin resuming some of your usual activities. You may need to take blood thinners and wear compression garments to discourage new clots from developing.

To find out if you’re a candidate for a thrombectomy, call Humble Vascular Surgical Center or book an appointment online today.