In
2012 doctors in Houston told Debra Hebert there was nothing more they could do
for her. Plagued by circulation problems, she was having a hard time getting
around and making it through a 12-hour shift as a pipeline documenter. The
fatigue was bad enough to put her into a state of depression.
In a
similar situation, Karen Barousse, a retired clerical worker, was plagued by
swelling in her left leg that was so bad, it looked like it belonged on another
person�s body. Twice-a-day fluid pills did nothing to alleviate the problem.
"Deep down, I knew that something wasn�t right with my body,� says Barousse. "I
would just sit around with my leg elevated.�
An
innovative outpatient procedure preformed at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital by
Dr. Carl Fastabend, cardiovascular specialist and director of the Vein Center
of Southwest Louisiana, has improved the health and restored the quality of
life for both of these ladies for the better.
"Chronic
vein disease is a reality for many,� says Dr. Carl Fastabend. "This disease
prevents blood from leaving the legs and flowing back into the heart. Without
treatment, blood can pool in the legs, causing chronic venous insufficiency
(CVI).�
Although
seldom life threatening, the condition is a significant cause of discomfort and
disability. According to Dr. Fastabend, CVI can lead to swelling, pain and
ulcers in the legs. "This was exactly the case for Ms. Hebert and Ms. Barousse.
Pregnancy, being overweight, a lack of exercise or sitting or standing without
moving for long periods of time can all be contributing factors. Elderly
patients who are sedentary and face relative immobility are also at risk. Also,
there is a significant genetic component which appears later in life. In most
cases there is a problem with the closely associated arteries in the pelvis
compressing the veins which drain the legs, and this is corrected by placing
stents. �
Previously
this type of venous disease was difficult to diagnose and treat, but thanks to
technological advances, diagnosis is now facilitated by intravascular
ultrasound which allows the vein specialist to visualize the pelvic veins
directly, and place stents into the iliac veins to correct the problem. This is
a major advance which is allowing specialists like Dr. Fastabend to correct
these troublesome veins on an outpatient basis. Typically the procedure is done
on an outpatient basis, with discharge on the same day.
"CVI
has several different causes, and pelvic vein compression preventing adequate
flow of blood from the legs back to the rest of the body is frequent and
very treatable. Patients experience pain and a feeling of heaviness in the
legs,� adds Dr. Fastabend. "IVUS allows us to go in and open these veins back
up in a minimally invasive manner. The patient experiences little discomfort
and sees an almost immediate relief of symptoms.�
Since
having her IVUS Procedure in December 2012 and double stents implanted in
January 2013 to correct May Turner Syndrome, Hebert�s life has taken a definite
turn for the better.
"I
work out seven days a week now for an hour or more at a time,� comments Hebert.
"I feel great! I have no restrictions and a whole new lease on life. I have a
quality of life that I had no idea was even possible.�
Barousse
expresses a similar sentiment. "I go and I go and I can walk better. I don�t
worry about swelling anymore and I don�t think anything about wearing my
cropped pants or getting out and enjoying life.�
For
more information, contact the Vein Center of Southwest Louisiana at (337)
312-VEIN or visit www.veincenterswla.com.
