DVT

Better known as Deep Vein Thrombosis. It doesn't get much ink, but it kills 200,000 Americans every year. You may know DVT as the ailment that passengers get while flying for hours on a plane or sitting for long periods of time in a car. It can happen to anyone, including a 30 year old mom we interviewed. She ended up with a blood clot after having back surgery, doctors tried the usual blood thinnners but nothing worked. Doctors then decided to use a new tool called the Trellis device which uses balloons to block off the clot and releases medicine. The device then shakes, mixing the medicine and breaking up the clot. Here's the nasty part: It's then sucked out. Yuk. But when death is a distinct possibility, having blood sucked out is a very good thing. We interviewed a doctor at Methodist-Dallas who is one of only about 100 or so doctors across the country using the device. DVT may not get much ink, but health officials are coming up with new ways to make sure it doesn't make the headlines.