Christiana Care Health System's Mark Garcia, M.D. Identifies Successful Treatments for Chronic Deep Vein Thrombosis

WILMINGTON, Del., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Findings from research led by Christiana Care Health System's Mark J. Garcia, M.D., FSIR show that a treatment strategy that focuses on the removal of a patient's chronic clots in the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis, is superior to traditional treatment methods.

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These novel findings demonstrate that people treated for chronic deep vein thrombosis can experience a reduction in disabling symptoms and an improved quality of life.

Dr. Garcia, who is the chief of vascular interventional radiology and medical director of the heart and vascular peripheral labs at Christiana Care, presented the findings today during the Society of Interventional Radiology's 37th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco.

Dr. Garcia's abstract was one of only nine abstracts – out of 455 submitted worldwide – chosen by the Society for Interventional Radiology to highlight during its annual meeting.

Minimally-invasive interventional radiology techniques can successfully treat patients who are suffering from post-thrombotic syndrome, a constellation of chronic symptoms from pain and swelling to ulcers and gangrene that are due to deep vein thrombosis.

Traditional methods to treat chronic deep vein thrombosis include blood thinners and elastic compression stockings to medically manage the clots.

"People suffering from post-thrombotic syndrome have been told that no treatment options are available to remove the clots and help relieve the symptoms, but that no longer is true," said Dr. Garcia, who also serves as chair of SIR's Venous Service Line. "Interventional radiologists now have an opportunity to help individuals afflicted with the post-thrombotic disorder who are desperately seeking an improved quality of life. We are showing there is hope for these patients."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 300,000 and 600,000 Americans develop deep vein thrombosis each year, which is the formation of a blood clot in a vein, commonly in the legs.

Dr. Garcia also co-moderated the meeting's opening session on Saturday, which focused on the treatment of deep venous diseases. That session was attended by more than 500 interventional radiologists from around the world.

For more information about the Society of Interventional Radiology, visit www.SIRweb.org.

For more information about Christiana Care, visit www.christianacare.org.

SOURCE Christiana Care Health System