Complications occur in association with inferior vena cava filters. Some complications become more prevalent as time since insertion increases. For instance, deep vein thrombosis. But a dreaded complication is IVC filter thrombosis. A thrombus that winds up in an inferior vena cava filter can originate distally or arise locally. It is not always possible to…
Wet to dry dressing is a time-tested method for treating wounds. Wet to dry dressing keeps wounds clean and promotes healing. Basically, a wet piece of clean cloth is put into the wound. When it dries it collects debris from within the wound and keeps it clean. The wound can then close around the cloth….
The ankle brachial index is an easy way to assess for lower extremity artery disease. A low ankle brachial index has a high sensitivity and specificity for peripheral artery disease. Adding exercise makes this test even more accurate. Sometimes the ankle brachial index is elevated. Compared to low ABI, not enough is known about a…
Venous thromboembolism including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. In some patients the first manifestation of venous thromboembolism is a large or even fatal pulmonary embolism. Theoretically, screening for venous thromboembolism in asymptomatic patients may save lives. Who is currently tested for venous thromboembolism? Scanning for venous thromboembolism typically occurs…
Cold hands are a common complaint in the vascular clinic. Many people feel that their hands are cold. Once colder days roll in this is more pronounced. In some cold hands are persistent. In others the hands become cold in response to various stimuli. Even for doctors this complaint can be confusing. This is because…
The first IVC filters were permanent devices that would stay in the patient’s inferior vena cava forever once inserted. This has changed. Since the early 2000’s most IVC filters are theoretically retractable. These devices are called optional filters or retrievable inferior vena cava filters. Filter retrieval depends more on clinical indication than on filter characteristics….
I want the Angiologist.com to be more interactive. For this reason I have started the vascular blog. I plan on using this platform as a supplement to the evidence based data that can be found in the rest of the Angiologist.com. The Angiologist is a serious professional website dedicated to the advancement of Vascular Medicine….
The blood flow to the brain is drained through a system of veins. These are the sinus veins and the cerebral veins. These veins join and drain into the internal jugular vein. Thrombosis in one of these veins is called cerebral vein thrombosis. Other names are dural vein thrombosis and sinus vein thrombosis. Epidemiology Cerebral…
The purpose of the Allen test is to examine the superficial and deep palmar arches. Abnormal arches could mean that there is acute vascular disease. This could also mean that there is a normal anatomical variant. Knowing the arch anatomy could keep you out of trouble because you will not injure an end-vessel with procedures….
The mainstay of treatment for pulmonary embolism is anticoagulation. Thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism should be reserved for sicker patients. Thrombolysis should be avoided in patients with low-risk PE. These are patients who do not exhibit any hemodynamic effects of the pulmonary embolism. On the other side of the spectrum are patients with massive pulmonary embolism….
