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Press Release

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) - Surgeon General's CALL TO ACTION

Morristown—Since 1986, the board certified doctors of the Vein Institute of New Jersey, have provided exceptional patient care to our communities. Patients and doctors from all over the world come the Vein Institute for both treatment and training. The Institute’s state of the art facilities and use of the very latest technologies make the Vein Institute of New Jersey one of the top treatment locations of its type in the world.

Domestically and internationally renowned doctors, Harry Agis, M.D., FACS, Mark Moritz, M.D., FACS and Michael Ombrellino, M.D., FACS, want to provide the general public with the latest information with reference to the CALL TO ACTION issued by the Office of the Surgeon General on September 15, 2008, with regards to increasing awareness and preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Since 1999, the Office of the Surgeon General has issued only six (6) Calls to Action. The doctors at VINJ cannot overstress the importance to understand the signs and steps of prevention as it relates to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE).

What is a Call to Action?
The Call to Action is a science-based document to stimulate action nationwide to solve a major public health problem. The Call to Action urges all Americans to understand the risk factors and triggering events for developing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, to recognize the symptoms, and to work with their health care providers to prevent and treat these potentially fatal conditions. It includes steps for communities (including patients and their families), the health care system, and policymakers and the government.

Why is the Surgeon General issuing this Call to Action?

Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism affect an estimated 350,000 to 600,000 Americans each year and incidence is expected to increase as the U.S. population ages.
Together, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are estimated to contribute to at least 100,000 deaths each year.
Almost anyone can develop deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Individuals with an inherited blood clotting disorder, other risk factors, or who experience a triggering event such as hospitalization, surgery, or long periods of immobility, are more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism affects men and women and risk increases with age, especially after age 50.
Women who are pregnant or take hormones (for birth control or menopausal therapy) are at increased risk.
African-Americans and Whites are more likely than other ethnic groups to develop a DVT or a pulmonary embolism. African-Americans are estimated to be at 30 percent greater risk compared to Whites.
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism can often be prevented and treated.

Dr Michael Ombrellino, a board certified Vascular Surgeon at the Vein Institute of New Jersey stated, “For years DVT and PE have been called the ‘silent killers’ as they may occur suddenly and without symptoms. Simply put, Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot in the deep vein system, most commonly found in the lower leg or thigh. The clot often blocks blood flow and causes pain, discomfort and possibly skin discoloration. In the more serious cases DVT can lead to a PE, where all or part of a clot breaks away and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it can block a lung artery, causing damage to the lungs or other organs from lack of oxygen. We cannot stress it enough, a simple 20-30 minute ultrasound (non radiation based) test can save ones life”.

While most people may experience some type of leg pain, it is important not to ignore any type of reoccurring or consistent pain, discomfort or skin color changes. A simple Ultrasound exam (Rolling a hand held camera over the outside of the skin, using sound waves -not radiation) will identify any problems in the veins or arteries in the legs. In our practice states Dr. Ombrellino, “Our doctors will sit down and discuss the results with the patient and put together a treatment plan. Most treatment plans include medication a conservative activity schedule and close monitoring via the ultrasound”. The Vein Institute offers a fully ICAVL accredited Vascular Laboratory to perform DVT studies. It also has full diagnostic screening capabilities for their patients as well as for those in the general public. Many other facilities offer to send their patients out to another testing facility. Each day at the Vein Institute, patients can also be screened for both venous and arterial disease, (Carotid, Renal, Aortic Aneurysm, etc).

The Vein Institute of New Jersey continues to be one of the top teaching facilities in the country. They specialize in the treatment of both arterial and venous diseases, which includes varicose vein treatment. These minimally invasive vein procedures can be done in the office with no surgery, no general anesthesia and little to no downtime. The procedures are quick and involve minimal discomfort. In most cases, after treatment, a patient can simply walk out of the office and resume normal activities the same day.

With three convenient locations, Morristown, Princeton and Sparta, the Institute welcomes you to find out more about us. The warm and caring staff at the Vein Institute will ensure that your visit will be professional, courteous and prompt.

To learn more about varicose veins and other vascular diseases, visit www.veininstitutenj.com or call 1-800-954-8346.