Venous Stent Placement

How Does Venous Stent Placement Work?

During the procedure, our interventional radiologists make a tiny incision, usually in the groin area, to access the problematic vein. Using fluoroscopic imaging for precise guidance, they thread a catheter through the blood vessels until it reaches the area of narrowing or blockage. The stent, which is initially in a collapsed state, is then delivered through the catheter and expanded at the treatment site. Once deployed, the stent provides immediate support to keep the vein open, allowing blood to flow normally. The entire procedure typically takes about an hour to complete and is performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation.

Ideal Candidates for Venous Stent Placement

Your doctor or healthcare provider may recommend venous stent placement if you:

• Have blockages that haven’t responded to medication or compression therapy
• Suffer from May-Thurner syndrome, where an artery compresses a vein in your pelvis
• Experience post-thrombotic syndrome following deep vein thrombosis
• Have venous insufficiency causing significant leg swelling, pain, or skin changes
• Want to avoid more invasive open surgical procedures
• Have recurrent deep vein thrombosis despite anticoagulation therapy

While all medical procedures carry some risk, venous stent placement can provide symptom relief, improve quality of life and prevent damage to the heart (and other organs) for patients with cardiovascular disease. During your consultation, our team will evaluate your condition to determine if venous stent placement is the most suitable treatment option for you.

What to Expect During Treatment

Before your procedure, you’ll meet with one of our interventional radiologists, who will review your medical history and imaging studies. On the day of treatment, you’ll receive local anesthesia and mild sedation to ensure your comfort. The procedure itself is relatively quick and typically lasts for 60-90 minutes, but this can vary depending on the complexity of your case. Most patients experience minimal discomfort from start to finish, and our team closely monitors you throughout. After your procedure, the catheter is removed, and pressure is applied to prevent bleeding. No sutures are required — just a small bandage covering the entry point.