What are the treatment options for iliac vein blockages of 30 and 50 percent?

After having a venogram, the doctor said that I have blockages. One was 30% and the other 50%. But he said he would not stent them until they were 70%. What other treatment options are available? And is it just a wait-and-watch approach? Besides the compression stockings, is there anything else that can be done to help relieve the leg swelling?

Answers from doctors (2)


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Nov 19, 2015

Compression stockings help relieve leg swelling with iliac stenosis and/or occlusions.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Compression stockings help relieve leg swelling with iliac stenosis and/or occlusions.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Institute of Connecticut

Published on Nov 19, 2015

Thank you for your question. I would tend to agree with your physician: a mild narrowing of the iliac veins would probably not warrant stenting. Furthermore, the appearance of venous narrowing is only part of the assessment - the rate of venous blood flow and whether there are any pressure differences in the vein would be useful in determining if these narrowings have any clinical significance for your condition.

It would be nice to have a little bit more information about you. Is your swelling in one or both legs? Is your iliac vein narrowing due to a history of DVT and/or is there an external source of venous compression?

Compression stockings, ambulation and leg elevation should help to relieve swelling somewhat. If you have not obtained one already, get a leg ultrasound to assess for superficial venous insufficiency - which is a common cause of leg swelling that can be successfully treated by a vein specialist.

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Answered by Vein Institute of Connecticut

Thank you for your question. I would tend to agree with your physician: a mild narrowing of the iliac veins would probably not warrant stenting. Furthermore, the appearance of venous narrowing is only part of the assessment - the rate of venous blood flow and whether there are any pressure differences in the vein would be useful in determining if these narrowings have any clinical significance for your condition.

It would be nice to have a little bit more information about you. Is your swelling in one or both legs? Is your iliac vein narrowing due to a history of DVT and/or is there an external source of venous compression?

Compression stockings, ambulation and leg elevation should help to relieve swelling somewhat. If you have not obtained one already, get a leg ultrasound to assess for superficial venous insufficiency - which is a common cause of leg swelling that can be successfully treated by a vein specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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