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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 27 Fotos
What is May-Thurner syndrome?
- May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a rare vascular disorder in which an artery compresses a vein in your pelvis.
© Shutterstock
1 / 27 Fotos
How does it occur?
- MTS occurs when the right common iliac artery compresses the left common iliac vein, restricting the drainage of blood from the lower extremities, according to the Center for Vascular Medicine.
© Shutterstock
2 / 27 Fotos
Inhibited blood flow
- This makes it more difficult for blood to flow back to the heart. If left untreated, it can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
© Shutterstock
3 / 27 Fotos
Deep vein thrombosis
- DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins, usually in the legs.
© Getty Images
4 / 27 Fotos
Pulmonary embolism
- These clots may break loose and get stuck in the lungs, blocking blood flow in what is known as a pulmonary embolism. This condition can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
© Getty Images
5 / 27 Fotos
Who is most affected?
- MTS, also referred to as iliac vein compression syndrome, primarily affects women between the ages of 20 and 45 who have been pregnant.
© Shutterstock
6 / 27 Fotos
How does MTS present itself?
- The condition ordinarily presents itself on the left side, though cases where there are right-sided symptoms have been reported.
© Shutterstock
7 / 27 Fotos
A little-known disorder
- Some people with May-Thurner syndrome have no symptoms. Furthermore, experts aren't quite sure why such vein compression happens.
© Shutterstock
8 / 27 Fotos
What are the symptoms?
- But when symptoms are present, patients invariably complain of chronic leg pain, leg swelling, and pain in the pelvic area.
© Shutterstock
9 / 27 Fotos
Inherent risks
- As symptoms progress, varicose veins may appear in the upper legs. And as already outlined, there's always a risk of developing DVT.
© Shutterstock
10 / 27 Fotos
Cases are becoming more frequent
- While still defined as rare, MTS has become more frequent, according to a study commissioned by the University of Maryland Medical Center and published in 2020 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
© Getty Images
11 / 27 Fotos
A more prevalent condition
- In fact, researchers speculate that the condition may be more prevalent "than generally perceived."
© Shutterstock
12 / 27 Fotos
What provokes MTS?
- The 2020 study suggests that one reason for underdiagnosis of the condition could be that people may not be symptomatic until "provoked by instances of increased hypercoagulability," reports The Washington Post.
© Shutterstock
13 / 27 Fotos
Threat of thrombosis
- Hypercoagulability is the increased tendency of blood to thrombose, such as during air travel or postpartum.
© Shutterstock
14 / 27 Fotos
Other risk factors
- Related risk factors include pregnancy, multiple childbirths, oral contraceptives, recent surgery, trauma to the veins, and scoliosis (sideways curve of the spine), as noted by the Center for Vascular Medicine.
© Shutterstock
15 / 27 Fotos
How is MTS diagnosed?
- May-Thurner syndrome is a progressive disease, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential for better long-term outcomes. It's usually diagnosed by an imaging test such as a CT scan or an MRI.
© Shutterstock
16 / 27 Fotos
Treatment options
- When symptoms are severe, several treatment options are available, including blood thinners, or anticoagulants, to help prevent clots.
© Shutterstock
17 / 27 Fotos
Thrombolysis
- Thrombolysis, also known as thrombolytic therapy, is a minimally invasive procedure to dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels, improve blood flow, and prevent damage to tissues and organs.
© Getty Images
18 / 27 Fotos
Stenting
- A more involved treatment is the insertion of a small mesh tube into the vein to hold it open, preventing backflow blood. Known as stenting, this is also a minimally invasive procedure, and can save lives.
© Shutterstock
19 / 27 Fotos
Lauren Boebert's treatment
- Congresswoman Boebert is reported to have undergone stenting. She was hospitalized after suffering "severe swelling in her upper left leg" and underwent surgery to remove the blood clot in the limb before a stent was inserted to aid blood flow.
© Getty Images
20 / 27 Fotos
Surgery
- May-Thurner syndrome can also be treated through dedicated surgery where the vein is rerouted, bypassing the section causing pain.
© Shutterstock
21 / 27 Fotos
How to prevent MTS
- There are a number of measures that can be taken to prevent the onset of MTS. One of these is to use pantyhose-style compression hosiery throughout pregnancies.
© Shutterstock
22 / 27 Fotos
Use of compression stockings
- In fact, wearing compression stockings/socks on a routine basis during times of prolonged standing or sitting and traveling long distances is recommended.
© Shutterstock
23 / 27 Fotos
Keep BMI in check
- Maintaining a healthy BMI/weight ratio is crucial to preventing MTS. According to Healthline, white, black, and Hispanic women are considered to be at a "healthy weight" when their BMI lies between 18.5 and 24.9.
© Shutterstock
24 / 27 Fotos
Watch your weight when pregnant
- Maintaining healthy weight gain during pregnancies is an equally important preventive measure.
© Shutterstock
25 / 27 Fotos
Undertake regular exercise
- Additionally, routine exercises that uses the calf muscles to promote blood flow out of the veins is an excellent way of lowering the risk of MTS. Sources: (Center for Vascular Medicine) (The Washington Post) (Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis)
© Shutterstock
26 / 27 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 27 Fotos
What is May-Thurner syndrome?
- May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a rare vascular disorder in which an artery compresses a vein in your pelvis.
© Shutterstock
1 / 27 Fotos
How does it occur?
- MTS occurs when the right common iliac artery compresses the left common iliac vein, restricting the drainage of blood from the lower extremities, according to the Center for Vascular Medicine.
© Shutterstock
2 / 27 Fotos
Inhibited blood flow
- This makes it more difficult for blood to flow back to the heart. If left untreated, it can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
© Shutterstock
3 / 27 Fotos
Deep vein thrombosis
- DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins, usually in the legs.
© Getty Images
4 / 27 Fotos
Pulmonary embolism
- These clots may break loose and get stuck in the lungs, blocking blood flow in what is known as a pulmonary embolism. This condition can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
© Getty Images
5 / 27 Fotos
Who is most affected?
- MTS, also referred to as iliac vein compression syndrome, primarily affects women between the ages of 20 and 45 who have been pregnant.
© Shutterstock
6 / 27 Fotos
How does MTS present itself?
- The condition ordinarily presents itself on the left side, though cases where there are right-sided symptoms have been reported.
© Shutterstock
7 / 27 Fotos
A little-known disorder
- Some people with May-Thurner syndrome have no symptoms. Furthermore, experts aren't quite sure why such vein compression happens.
© Shutterstock
8 / 27 Fotos
What are the symptoms?
- But when symptoms are present, patients invariably complain of chronic leg pain, leg swelling, and pain in the pelvic area.
© Shutterstock
9 / 27 Fotos
Inherent risks
- As symptoms progress, varicose veins may appear in the upper legs. And as already outlined, there's always a risk of developing DVT.
© Shutterstock
10 / 27 Fotos
Cases are becoming more frequent
- While still defined as rare, MTS has become more frequent, according to a study commissioned by the University of Maryland Medical Center and published in 2020 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
© Getty Images
11 / 27 Fotos
A more prevalent condition
- In fact, researchers speculate that the condition may be more prevalent "than generally perceived."
© Shutterstock
12 / 27 Fotos
What provokes MTS?
- The 2020 study suggests that one reason for underdiagnosis of the condition could be that people may not be symptomatic until "provoked by instances of increased hypercoagulability," reports The Washington Post.
© Shutterstock
13 / 27 Fotos
Threat of thrombosis
- Hypercoagulability is the increased tendency of blood to thrombose, such as during air travel or postpartum.
© Shutterstock
14 / 27 Fotos
Other risk factors
- Related risk factors include pregnancy, multiple childbirths, oral contraceptives, recent surgery, trauma to the veins, and scoliosis (sideways curve of the spine), as noted by the Center for Vascular Medicine.
© Shutterstock
15 / 27 Fotos
How is MTS diagnosed?
- May-Thurner syndrome is a progressive disease, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential for better long-term outcomes. It's usually diagnosed by an imaging test such as a CT scan or an MRI.
© Shutterstock
16 / 27 Fotos
Treatment options
- When symptoms are severe, several treatment options are available, including blood thinners, or anticoagulants, to help prevent clots.
© Shutterstock
17 / 27 Fotos
Thrombolysis
- Thrombolysis, also known as thrombolytic therapy, is a minimally invasive procedure to dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels, improve blood flow, and prevent damage to tissues and organs.
© Getty Images
18 / 27 Fotos
Stenting
- A more involved treatment is the insertion of a small mesh tube into the vein to hold it open, preventing backflow blood. Known as stenting, this is also a minimally invasive procedure, and can save lives.
© Shutterstock
19 / 27 Fotos
Lauren Boebert's treatment
- Congresswoman Boebert is reported to have undergone stenting. She was hospitalized after suffering "severe swelling in her upper left leg" and underwent surgery to remove the blood clot in the limb before a stent was inserted to aid blood flow.
© Getty Images
20 / 27 Fotos
Surgery
- May-Thurner syndrome can also be treated through dedicated surgery where the vein is rerouted, bypassing the section causing pain.
© Shutterstock
21 / 27 Fotos
How to prevent MTS
- There are a number of measures that can be taken to prevent the onset of MTS. One of these is to use pantyhose-style compression hosiery throughout pregnancies.
© Shutterstock
22 / 27 Fotos
Use of compression stockings
- In fact, wearing compression stockings/socks on a routine basis during times of prolonged standing or sitting and traveling long distances is recommended.
© Shutterstock
23 / 27 Fotos
Keep BMI in check
- Maintaining a healthy BMI/weight ratio is crucial to preventing MTS. According to Healthline, white, black, and Hispanic women are considered to be at a "healthy weight" when their BMI lies between 18.5 and 24.9.
© Shutterstock
24 / 27 Fotos
Watch your weight when pregnant
- Maintaining healthy weight gain during pregnancies is an equally important preventive measure.
© Shutterstock
25 / 27 Fotos
Undertake regular exercise
- Additionally, routine exercises that uses the calf muscles to promote blood flow out of the veins is an excellent way of lowering the risk of MTS. Sources: (Center for Vascular Medicine) (The Washington Post) (Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis)
© Shutterstock
26 / 27 Fotos
What is May-Thurner syndrome, and are you at risk?
Learn more about this vascular disorder that primarily affects women between the ages of 20 and 45
© Shutterstock
American congresswoman Lauren Boebert was recently hospitalized after being diagnosed with a rare condition known as May-Thurner syndrome. Her campaign revealed that she'd undergone surgery to remove an acute blood clot from her leg, a procedure necessary in order to prevent more serious health complications from developing. Her diagnosis sparked public interest in this little-known vascular disorder that primarily affects women between the ages of 20 and 45. But what provokes May-Thurner syndrome, and how do you recognize the symptoms?
Click through and learn more about this obscure but potentially deadly medical condition.
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