DuBOIS — Penn Highlands DuBois recently marked a major milestone — 200 patients treated for venous thromboembolism (VTE) — a significant achievement in the fight against a potentially life-threatening condition that affects more than 1 million Americans each year.

VTE occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins of the body, most commonly in the legs or arms. When these clots develop in the legs, the condition is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT can cause leg pain, swelling, redness and — if untreated — can lead to post-thrombotic syndrome, resulting in long-term complications.

“Clots can form for a variety of reasons, including prolonged immobility such as long-distance travel or recovery after surgery,” said Dr. Stephen Iorfido, board-certified interventional radiologist at Penn Highlands DuBois. “Risk factors include smoking, certain medications like contraceptive pills and underlying medical conditions like cancer.”

If DVT is not addressed, the clot can travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE) — a dangerous and potentially fatal complication. PE can result in shortness of breath, chest pain, elevated heart rate, fainting and sudden changes in blood pressure. Alarmingly, PE is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death, behind heart attack and stroke, claiming the lives of approximately 180,000 people in the U.S. each year.

“The Interventional Radiology Team at Penn Highlands DuBois has been at the forefront of advanced, minimally invasive treatment for VTE,” hospital representatives said in a press release. “Using the FlowTriever Thrombectomy System, the team safely removes blood clots from the lungs of patients with intermediate- and high-risk PE without the need for thrombolytic drugs.”

The procedure involves guiding a catheter through the groin directly to the lungs, where clots are aspirated and removed — frequently providing immediate symptom relief. For patients with DVT, the ClotTriever device is used to extract clots from the legs with similar effectiveness. Patients typically experience prompt pain and swelling relief. They often are able to return home in one to two days.

“This milestone reflects not only the team’s clinical excellence but also their unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes across the region,” representatives said.

The Interventional Radiology Team at Penn Highlands Healthcare provides advanced treatments for many conditions such as vascular diseases, cancer, men’s health and women’s health. To learn more, visit phhealthcare.org/interventionalradiology.