April 25, 2019
HOUMA— Dr. Pradeep Nair, interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS), is the first in the Bayou Region to utilize the Venovo™ venous stent, the first of its kind to treat iliofemoral venous occlusive disease, caused by blockages in the iliac and femoral veins located near the groin.
The Venovo™ venous stent is a flexible mesh tube made from nitinol, a nickel titanium alloy that expands to a specified size when warmed to body temperature. The stent is delivered through a catheter system to restore adequate blood flow to the veins found in the upper pelvic region and groin area. It is designed with a balance of radial strength, compression resistance and flexibility needed to prevent future complications. Additionally, the broad stent size allows clinicians to treat large diameter veins and long lesion lengths.
Blockage or narrowing of the deep veins in the pelvis and groin prevents blood flow from getting out of the legs and back to the heart. The femoral and iliac veins are deep, large veins that extend from the groin up to the pelvic area, and drain into the largest vein in the abdomen, the vena cava, which goes directly into the heart. Symptoms of blockages in these veins include swelling of the legs, pain when standing, skin discoloration and ulcers.
“Blockages in the large veins of the pelvis and abdomen are an under-recognized cause of leg pain, swelling, skin breakdown or ulcers,” explained Dr. Nair. “Early diagnosis and treatment of these obstructions is crucial to lessen disabling symptoms. Opening blockages in these large veins requires precise placement and sizing, and that is why the Venovo stent is an ideal treatment to achieve the most optimal results.”