Venogram Risks and Complications For Patients
Fear of the unknown is a strong, driving emotion within all of us. It is part of our internal compass or “gut feeling” that helps us stay safe when facing new situations. Sometimes this fear is very rational based on past experience or on the information given to us about the new situation. At times, the fear can seem irrational or unable to be explained, but still very real.
When making decisions on the treatment of a medical condition, in particular, invasive treatment involving venography, intravascular ultrasound(IVUS), venoplasty, and/or stent placement for treatment of May-Thurner Syndrome (Iliac Vein Compression), fear may stop us from following through with treatment. While this is a minimally invasive procedure with small risk, it is not zero risk. It is very common for patients to be afraid about the potential complications. The most common risks are bruising and bleeding. You will be closely monitored during and following the procedure to make sure risk of bleeding is as low as possible prior to discharge.
Other risks include infection, allergic reaction to medications/contrast dye and possible blood clot/DVT risk. In general, the risk of these complications is less than 1%. The staff and physicians are very experienced in reducing these risks by performing procedures under sterile conditions and close monitoring for allergic reaction or potential DVT. If any complications are identified, the Center for Vascular Medicine is well equipped and prepared to intervene and treat you appropriately.
Aside from true complication, you may be afraid of other aspects that cannot be calculated but are very real to you and may even have a deeper emotional impact. These may include fear of needles/IVs, undergoing sedation, and pain related to the procedure. Our staff at the Center for Vascular Medicine are prepared to care for you. Together they have decades of combined experience in managing patients in many settings including outpatient, ICU, and the ER. The staff is very proficient at starting IVs under very difficult circumstances. They are also well experienced in continuous monitoring patient’s during and after receiving sedation.
Our nurses deliver compassionate care during your recovery period to keep you as comfortable as possible. There is back pain that is associated with having the stent placement done which can vary widely in intensity from patient to patient. While it is not possible to predict the degree of pain you may experience individually, we can assure you that the pain is temporary and we offer techniques and medication(s) to help manage your pain.
Despite the level of fear that you may have about proceeding with venogram, IVUS, venoplasty and/or stent placement, the Center for Vascular Medicine is here to support you throughout the time of your treatment. In my years of experience with patients being treated for May Thurner Syndrome, I have never had a patient say that having the procedure(s) was not worth the outcome in the long run.
If you have any questions regarding concerns about possibly moving forward with treatment of May-Thurner Syndrome, please feel free to contact the Center for Vascular Medicine for assistance.