Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital First in Texas to Implant New Medical Device To Prevent Pulmonary Embolism

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Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the first in Texas to implant the new Crux^® Vena Cava Filter in a patient at risk for pulmonary embolism (PE), a condition caused by a large blood clot migrating to the lungs.

The filter is designed to trap these blood clots before they can lead to potentially fatal outcomes in patients with recurrent PE. Imran Mohiuddin, M.D., vascular surgeon and Uttam Tripathy, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, both on staff at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, implanted the device in a 51-year-old male patient on February 10th.

The patient came to the ER with pain in his leg and was soon diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg.  Using the Crux Vena Cava Filter, Mohiuddin and Tripathy used medication to break up the clot and filter it, preventing the possibility of the clot breaking away and moving to the lung—a potentially fatal outcome. Once the clot is dissolved, the filter is retrieved.

“The physicians and nurses were able to save my life using a new procedure not yet available elsewhere in Texas,” said Willie Mahoney. “I am incredibly grateful.”

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are implanted in the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart. Their unique design allows insertion into either the jugular (neck) or femoral (leg) vein to trap a clot if it were to break free, while also allowing blood to flow normally through the blood vessels. Once inserted, they are an important tool for physicians in preventing recurrent and potentially deadly PE in patients.

“We continuously strive to use the safest, most technically-advanced and effective devices and procedures to ensure the best outcomes for our patients,” said Mohiuddin.

For more information about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland, or call 281.274.7500 for a physician referral.