Dr. Matt Meadows performs 100th thrombectomy at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Matt Meadows, M.D., interventional radiologist at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, recently performed his 100th thrombectomy procedure as part of the Hospital’s Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Program.
VTE occurs when blood clots form in the veins, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which most often present in the lower legs, and pulmonary embolism (PE), which happens when blood clots break off and travel to the lungs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DVT and PE are often underdiagnosed and are serious but often preventable conditions.
The CDC reports that about half of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The most common signs or symptoms of DVT are swelling; pain or tenderness; warmth; and redness or discoloration in the affected leg or arm.
An individual can have a PE without any symptoms of a DVT. Signs and symptoms of PE can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing
- Cough or coughing up blood
- Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting
Interventional Radiology is the only specialty at Ruby Memorial Hospital that treats VTE in its entirety.
WVU Medicine interventional radiologists are board-certified physicians who specialize in treating diseases and conditions affecting the organs, spine, urinary systems, and more. They use advanced imaging to guide medical instruments through blood vessels and deliver therapy at the source of the problem.
Procedures are performed through small incisions with catheters and wires that are about the size of a piece of spaghetti, preserving surrounding tissue and avoiding large, open incisions.
Interventional radiology techniques have fewer complications than open surgery and are often performed on an outpatient basis. Patients experience less bleeding, reduced pain, and quicker recovery.
The Interventional Radiology team has collectively performed more than 250 thrombectomy cases since the program started with Dr. Meadows leading the way with 100 procedures performed.
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