Venous Disease

A person stretching her leg

UNDERSTANDING INFERIOR VENA CAVA SYNDROME (IVCS) AND ILIOFEMORAL VENOUS OBSTRUCTION

How you can help yourself or others living with venous disease

Two Types of Venous Disease

Anatomy image labeling the abdominal aorta, iliac vein, iliac artery and inferior vena cava.Inferior vena cava syndrome, or IVCS, refers to a sequence of signs and symptoms related to obstruction or compression of the inferior vena cava (IVC), a large vein that carries blood from the lower and middle part of the body back to the heart.1

Iliofemoral venous obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the iliac and femoral veins (In the pelvis and thigh). This type of obstruction sometimes extends from the common femoral vein (CFV) in the thigh up through the inferior vena cava.2

 

Venous Disease Signs and Symptoms

Venous disease affects about one in three adults.3 There are many types of venous diseases, as well as many signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms can include3,4:

  • Leg swelling
  • Leg pain
  • Leg skin changes
  • Leg ulcers

If you notice any of these symptoms please contact your doctor, who may refer you to a vascular specialist for a complete diagnosis.

 

Current Venous Disease Treatments

For those with venous disease, a physician and/or surgeon may recommend one or more common treatment options, including but not limited to3:

  • Compression stockings
  • Anticoagulation (Blood-thinning medications to prevent blood clots)
  • Thrombolytics (Medications to dissolve a blood clot)
  • Thrombectomy (Surgery to remove a blood clot or clots)
  • Angioplasty (a procedure that inflates a balloon to open up the vein) plus stent placement
    • Stent placement is a procedure that places a tubular support inside a blood vessel to aid healing or relieve an obstruction
  • Venous stenting (Placing a stent inside the vein)

 

Potentially Helpful Lifestyle Modifications

Healthcare providers may also recommend lifestyle modifications instead of or as complement to other treatments, such as3:

  • Elevating the legs
  • Exercise improvements

Talk to your doctor about appropriate treatment options.

 

Clinical Studies

The Investigational GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent IVC Study

For treatment of symptomatic IVC obstruction with or without combined iliofemoral venous obstruction, a clinical study will evaluate the performance, safety and efficacy of using the investigational GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent.

The Investigational GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent Iliofemoral Venous Study

For treatment of symptomatic iliofemoral venous obstruction, a clinical study will evaluate the performance, safety and efficacy of using the investigational GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent.

 

Clinical Study Enrollment Locations

Please click below to expand enrollment locations and site information.

The Investigational GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent IVC Study Locations (United States)

California

Leland Stanford Junior University
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Principal Investigator: Alex Vezeridis, M.D.
 

Connecticut

Yale University
300 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06519
Principal Investigator: Cassius Chaar, M.D.
 

District of Columbia (D.C.)

MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20010
Principal Investigator: Steven Abramowitz, M.D.
 

Illinois

Northwestern University
676 N St. Clair Street, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611
Principal Investigator: Kush Desai, M.D.
 

Michigan

University of Michigan
Frankel Cardiovascular Center
1425 E Ann St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Principal Investigator: Minhaj Khaja, M.D.
 

New York

Mount Sinai Health System
1 Gustave L. Levy Place
New York, NY 10029
Principal Investigator: Robert Lookstein, M.D.

Weill Cornell Medical College
525 E68th Street
New York, NY 10065
Principal Investigator: Ronald Winokur, M.D.
 

North Carolina

Atrium Health-Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute
1237 Harding Place, KMOB I, Suite 5100
Charlotte, NC 28204
Principal Investigator: Erin Murphy, M.D.
 

Ohio

Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44195
Principal Investigator: Jon Quatromoni, M.D.

OhioHealth Research and Innovation Institute
3705 Olentangy River Road, Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43214
Principal Investigator: Mitch Silver, M.D.
 

Virginia

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
600 Gresham Dr
Norfolk, VA 23507
Principal Investigator: David Dexter, M.D.
 

Washington

Lake Washington Vascular Surgeons PLLC
1135 116th Ave NE Suite 305
Bellevue, WA 98004
Principal Investigator: Kathleen Gibson, M.D.

The Investigational GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent Iliofemoral Study Locations (United States)

California

Leland Stanford Junior University
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Principal Investigator: Andrew Kesselman, M.D.
 

Connecticut

Vascular Care Group
330 Boston Post Rd, Suite 240
Darien, CT 06820
Principal Investigator: Paul Gagne, M.D.

Yale University
300 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06519
Principal Investigator: Cassius Chaar, M.D.
 

District of Columbia (D.C.)

MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20010
Principal Investigator: Steven Abramowitz, M.D.
 

Illinois

Northwestern University
676 N St. Clair Street, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611
Principal Investigator: Kush Desai, M.D.
 

Massachusetts 

Massachusetts General Hospital 
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
Principal Investigator: Julianne Stoughton, M.D.


Michigan

University of Michigan
Frankel Cardiovascular Center
1425 E Ann St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Principal Investigator: William Sherk, M.D.
 

New Jersey

Englewood Health
350 Engle St
Englewood, NJ 07631
Principal Investigator: Steven Elias, M.D.

Holy Name Medical Center
718 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Principal Investigator: John Rundback, M.D.


New York

Mount Sinai Health System
1 Gustave L. Levy Place
New York, NY 10029
Principal Investigator: Windsor Ting, M.D.

St Peters Health Partners 
315 S. Manning Blvd.
Albany, NY 12208
Principal Investigator: Kathleen Ozsvath, M.D.

Stony Brook University Medical Center 
101 Nicolls Road
Stony Brook, NY 11794
Principal Investigator: Angela Kokkosis, M.D.  
 

North Carolina

Atrium Health-Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute
1237 Harding Place, KMOB I, Suite 5100
Charlotte, NC 28204
Principal Investigator: Erin Murphy, M.D.

Division of Vascular Surgery at UNC Chapel Hill 
3024 Burnett Womack CB7212
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Principal Investigator: Katharine McGinigle, M.D.
 

Ohio

Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44195
Principal Investigator: Jon Quatromoni, M.D.

TriHealth - Good Samaritan Hospital 
375 Dixmyth Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45220
Principal Investigator: Patrick Muck, M.D.

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
Principal Investigator: Karem Harth, M.D.
 

Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC) 
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 14213
Principal Investigator: Rabih Chaer, M.D.
 

Virginia

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
600 Gresham Dr
Norfolk, VA 23507
Principal Investigator: David Dexter, M.D.
 

Washington

Lake Washington Vascular Surgeons PLLC
1135 116th Ave NE Suite 305
Bellevue, WA 98004
Principal Investigator: Kathleen Gibson, M.D.


Wisconsin

Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee 
9200 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Principal Investigator: Parag Patel, M.D.

The Investigational GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent IVC Study Locations (Outside of the United States)

Australia


Adelaide

Flinders Medical Center
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Flinders Drive
Bedford Park, SA 5042S
Australia
Principal Investigator: Phil Puckridge, M.D.

Perth

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Department of Radiology-Intervention
Hospital Ave
Nedlands, WA 6009
Australia
Principal Investigator: Shaun Samuelson, M.D.

Royal Perth Hospital
Wellington Street
Perth, WA 6000
Australia
Principal Investigator: Patrice Mwipatayi, M.D.

 

England


Cambridge

Box 212, Department of Vascular Surgery
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Hills Road
Cambridge 
CB2 0QQ
UK
Principal Investigator: Manj Gohel, M.D.

London

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Academic Department of Surgery
St Thomas’ Hospital 
Westminster Bridge Road 
London, SE1 7EH 
UK
Principal Investigator: Stephen Black, M.D.

Oxford

John Radcliffe - Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Headley Way, Headington
Oxford
OX3 9DU
UK
Principal Investigator: Emma Watson, M.D.

 

Germany


Aachen

University of Aachen
Pauwelsstr.30  
52074 Aachen 
Germany
Principal Investigator: Houman Jalaie, M.D.

Arnsberg

Klinikum Hochsauerland GmbH, Klinik für Angiologie
Stolte Ley 5
Arnsberg 59759
Germany
Principal Investigator: Michael Lichtenberg, M.D.

 

Ireland


Connaught

University College Hospital GALWAY / Clinical Research Facility Galway 
Newcastle Road
Connaught
H91 YR71
Ireland
Principal Investigator: Gerry O’Sullivan, M.D.

 

Italy


Milan

H San Raffaele
IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele 
Via Olgettina 60 
Milan 20132 
Italy
Principal Investigator: Domenico Baccellieri, M.D.

Modena

Dept. of Vascular Surgery - International Center of Deep Venous Surgery
Hesperia Hospital
Via Arquà 80/A
Postal Code 41125
Modena, Italy
Principal Investigator:  Marzia Lugli, M.D.

 

New Zealand


Auckland

Auckland City Hospital
2 Park Road Grafton
1023 Auckland
New Zealand
Principal Investigator: Andrew Holden, M.D.

A patient looking away from the camera.

The GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent Iliofemoral Venous Study

Physician showing something to person.

The GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent IVC Study

Person drawing on whiteboard

Learn More About Gore Medical Innovation

VIAFORT device

CAUTION — Investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. 

See the latest news about the investigational GORE® VIAFORT Stent 
 

Learn More

  1. Lawrensia S, Khan YS. Inferior Vena Cava Syndrome. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 20, 2023.
  2. The Critical Need for an Iliofemoral Venous Obstruction Classification System. Endovascular Today website. Updated July 2017.
  3. Chronic Venous Disease. American Venous Forum website. Updated February 14, 2022. https://www.venousforum.org/patients/what-is-vein-disease/what-is-chronic-venous-disease/
  4. Venous Disease. Cleveland Clinic website. Updated February 3, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16754-venous-disease

For further information, please refer to the Evaluation of the GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent for Treatment of Symptomatic Inferior Vena Cava Obstruction with or without Combined Iliofemoral Obstruction (VNS-21-05) Clinical Study Protocol and Evaluation of the GORE® VIAFORT Vascular Stent for Treatment of Symptomatic Iliofemoral Venous Obstruction (VNS-21-07) Clinical Study Protocol.

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Please talk with your doctor about any risks related to these studies. RXOnly

CAUTION — Investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.
Products listed may not be available in all markets.

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