ILIAC VENOUS DISEASE

Deep Venous Disease: Understanding and Treating Iliac Vein Compression

Patients with iliac vein compression may experience a variety of symptoms, including leg swelling and pain, especially in the left lower extremity. The pain may be described as aching, burning, or throbbing and is often exacerbated by standing or walking. Patients may also experience lower extremity fatigue, skin discoloration, and varicose veins or develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While not every patient with iliac vein compression develops DVT, significant risk remains.

Definition

What is Iliac Vein Compression?

The iliac veins, located in the lower abdomen, drain blood from the legs and pelvis towards the heart. When these veins narrow, iliac vein compression occurs, restricting blood flow from the legs. This restriction promotes lower extremity symptoms and blood clot formation, significantly increasing the risk of DVT in the iliac veins and legs.

Risk Factors

Several factors can contribute to iliac vein compression, including:

May-Thurner Syndrome: An anatomical anomaly in which the right iliac vein is compressed between the left iliac artery and the overlying lumbar spine, more common in women with a slender build.
Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue outside the uterus can compress the iliac veins.
Pelvic Tumors: Tumors growing in the pelvis can exert pressure on the iliac veins, causing narrowing.
Previous Pelvic Surgery: Scarring from pelvic surgery can sometimes compress the iliac veins.

Symptoms

At VIE, our team of vascular specialists use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to identify iliac vein compression, enabling early intervention and prevention of potentially life-threatening complications. Diagnostic procedures may include:

Venous duplex ultrasound: A non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to assess blood flow within the veins and identify any blockages.
Venography: An X-ray technique using a contrast dye injected into the veins to visualize blood flow and identify areas of narrowing.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: An imaging technique that provides detailed views of the veins and surrounding structures.

Treatment and Benefits

Treatment for iliac vein compression depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. Our multidisciplinary team develops personalized treatment plans that may include:

Anticoagulant medications to prevent existing clots from growing larger and reduce the risk of new clot formation.
Catheter-directed interventions, such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement, to open up narrowed iliac veins using minimally invasive techniques.
Surgery, in severe cases, to remove a blood clot or address anatomical abnormalities causing compression.

If you suspect that you may have DVT or are at risk for developing this condition due to iliac vein compression, don’t wait to seek expert care. Contact VIE today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation with our team of vascular specialists. We are committed to helping you understand your risk factors, providing accurate diagnosis, and developing an individualized treatment plan to improve your vascular health and overall well-being.

REFERENCES

Rocco, M. P., & Mismetti, S. (2014). May-Thurner syndrome. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 59(1 Suppl), S22-S28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10457719/
Bates, S. R., Jaeschke, R., Kearon, C., & Lehman, D. (2014). Antithrombotic therapy for VTE prophylaxis after surgery. Chest, 141(2 Suppl), e681S-e704S. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34352278/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2020, April 1). Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT). National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507708/

ILIAC VENOUS DISEASE

Deep Venous Disease: Understanding and Treating Iliac Vein Compression

Definition

Risk Factors

Symptoms

Treatment and Benefits

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WOODBURY clinic

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