NACOGDOCHES – Interventional cardiologists at Nacogdoches Medical Center have a revolutionary new tool in their arsenal to combat sudden cardiac death, recently unveiling an NMC-first procedure to treat life-threatening pulmonary embolisms.

Venous Thromboembolism or VTE is an often underdiagnosed and serious medical condition that refers to blood clots in the deep veins of the body.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), typically occurs when a blood clot forms in the legs and pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a part of the clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream, and causes blockage of blood flow to the lungs.

Nearly one million Americans are affected by VTE each year and pulmonary embolism is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death with nearly one-quarter of patients experiencing sudden death as the first symptom.

Drs. Justin Price and Erica Fidone, interventional cardiologists, performed NMC’s first-ever minimally-invasive, mechanical thrombectomy to treat pulmonary embolism in mid-December. Coincidentally, while performing the first procedure, the physicians received an additional phone call. They both treated another patient with the same procedure later that day, highlighting the region’s great need for enhanced cardiac care.

Mechanical thrombectomy is a catheter-based system that uses suction and mechanical tools to extract blood clots, restoring blood flow to the arteries that carry blood to the lungs for oxygenation. This allows for quick restoration of blood flow and reduces strain on the heart. Additionally, this technology has a filtration system that allows physicians to return the patient’s own blood back to them, minimizing blood loss, Price said.

Prior to utilizing mechanical thrombectomy, treatment options were limited to clot-busting or blood thinning medications to treat DVT/PE. However, the use of such medications carries its own set of risks, bleeding in particular. The use of such medications often requires the patient to spend long periods of time in the intensive care unit (ICU) and have a longer hospital stay. Mechanical thrombectomy is an additional treatment method to provide patients with the best possible outcomes.

This innovative, non-surgical procedure offers patients immediate symptom improvement without the need for thrombolytic drugs and prolonged stay, said Dr. Fidone.

“The latest innovation in mechanical thrombectomy allows for a single-session treatment. Patients have immediate symptom improvement and overall improved outcomes,” she said. “The goal is to provide this care here locally in Nacogdoches and have patients walk out of the hospital without even requiring oxygen therapy.”

For more information on cardiac care and VTE treatments, visit https://www.nacmedicalcenter.com/services/cardiovascular/.