What is the May-Thurner Syndrome Life Expectancy?

Understanding the impact of May-Thurner syndrome on life expectancy is essential for those affected by this condition and their loved ones. Has your doctor just informed you that you have May-Thurner Syndrome or Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome? Your head is probably swimming with questions. What is this medical condition? How serious is it? What can you expect from the disease? How are patients treated? Is it life-threatening?

The good news is that May-Thurner Syndrome in itself isn’t life-threatening. However, there are potentially serious complications that you should be aware of. Being forewarned of these dangers is the first step in protecting your health. Before we discuss those complications, let’s get a thorough understanding of the disorder.

What is May-Thurner Syndrome or Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome?

May-Thurner Syndrome, also known as Iliac vein compression syndrome, is a disorder that can disrupt normal blood flow to the lower extremities. This disease occurs when the right iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein.

May-Thurner Syndrome may also be referred to as a pelvic venous spur. This is because as the right iliac artery crosses over and compresses the left iliac vein it damages the iliac vein’s outer layer. This causes the body to deposit collagen and elastin to form spurs.

Some people with May-Thurner Syndrome are symptomatic patients while others experience no symptoms at all.

Risk Factors for May-Thurner Syndrome

Knowing if you are at risk for May-Thurner Syndrome might help you take steps to avoid this diagnosis and the problems that come with a potentially chronic venous disease. Knowledge of risk factors might lead you to lifestyle modifications that focus on improving blood flow and preventing blood clots.

You are more at risk of developing May-Thurner Syndrome if you:

• Are a woman
• Have given birth recently or more than once
• Are dehydrated
• Have recently taken birth control pills

Symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome

As previously stated, some people with May-Thurner Syndrome will have no symptoms. For those with symptoms, there is the potential for misdiagnosis because the symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome are common to other conditions like Pelvic Congestion Syndrome or Chronic Venous Insufficiency. That is why it is important for anyone experiencing any of the following symptoms to seek advice from a medical professional.

Pain and Swelling of the Lower Extremity

This can occur in both legs but is most common in the left leg because the left common iliac vein is being compressed. If left untreated,

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen blue or purple blood vessels near the skin’s surface. They may be painful or cause a feeling of heaviness in the legs. In May-Thurner Syndrome they typically occur in the upper part of the leg.

Skin Discoloration

The skin can progressively discolor over time with May-Thurner Syndrome. It can look like purple or red spots on the legs and ankles.

Pelvic Pain

In May-Thurner Syndrome, the pelvic pain that sometimes occurs is different from and not associated with normal period cramps. It may present as persistent lower back pain and shoot from the lower back to the groin area.

Potential Life-Threatening Complications of May-Thurner Syndrome

While many of the symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome are not serious or medical emergencies, some serious complications can occur. The conditions below all have the potential to be fatal if not treated immediately.

Blood Clots

Blood clots occur when a mass of cells in the blood gel together and inhibit normal blood flow. Depending on the blood vessels affected and how much blood flow is blocked, they can be life-threatening. A blood test called a D-dimer test might be used to look for evidence of a blood clot.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein. This usually occurs in a lower extremity. Since May-Thurner Syndrome increases the likelihood of blood clots in the lower extremities DVT can be a complication.

Symptoms of an iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis are a warm feeling in the affected area, pain in an isolated part of the leg, and redness in the painful area. Deep vein thrombosis is dangerous because the clot can break off and travel to the lungs.

Vascular surgery may be needed to care for the blood clot if other treatments like anticoagulants and compression stockings don’t help. A vascular surgeon may place a filter in the affected vein or consider stent placement to hold the vessel open and restore blood flow.

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism is when a lung artery is blocked by a blood clot. This is a common complication of deep vein thrombosis and a medical emergency. If you have May-Thurner Syndrome or deep vein thrombosis and develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pains, or a faint feeling, a blood clot may have broken off and caused a pulmonary embolism. You must seek medical help immediately.

How Do You Diagnose May-Thurner Syndrome?

To diagnose May-Thurner syndrome your doctor will take into account your medical history, what symptoms you are experiencing, and do a physical examination An interventional radiology professional will use one or more imaging tools to observe the blood vessels like the femoral and iliac veins. Below are several that are commonly used in the diagnosis of May-Thurner Syndrome.

Intravascular Ultrasound

An intravascular ultrasound uses sound waves to view inside blood vessels. For the diagnosis of May-Thurner Syndrome, it can be used to view the inside of the iliac vein. It can help determine the degree of venous obstruction by compression and how venous outflow has been affected.

Magnetic Resonance Venography

Magnetic resonance venography uses magnets and radio waves to image the inside of veins. It uses the same machine as a regular MRI and can be done with or without contrast, or dye. Magnetic resonance venography and intravascular ultrasound are commonly used together to diagnose May-Thurner Syndrome.

Treating Complications of the Left Iliac Vein Like MTS

Treatment of May-Thurner Syndrome depends on how much the lilac artery has compressed the lilac vein, to what degree blood flow is restricted, if you have or develop blood clots, and how much the symptoms like pain are affecting daily life.

The goal in the treatment of May-Thurner Syndrome is to improve blood flow, prevent blood clots that can lead to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and relieve symptoms. The treatments of May-Thurner Syndrome range from simple to minimally invasive endovascular intervention completed by vascular surgeons.

Compression stockings

Compression stockings are the simplest treatment for May-Thurner Syndrome because it is external rather than an endovascular treatment and requires no real prescription.

Medications

Your doctor might prescribe medication for May-Thurner Syndrome such as blood thinners or a thrombotic to either restore blood flow if a blood clot is present or prevent the formation of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis in the blood vessels of the legs.

A more invasive type of delivery for thrombolytic medication when a blood clot is present is catheter-directed thrombolysis. A catheter is inserted into the affected blood vessel and medication is delivered right at the site of the clot, aiding in restoring blood flow.

Balloon Angioplasty

Balloon angioplasty is a procedure where a balloon is inserted via a catheter and inflated. Both balloon angioplasty and catheter-directed thrombolysis use catheters inserted in the veins but balloon angioplasty doesn’t use medication.

In May-Thurner Syndrome, this treatment opens the left iliac vein and improves blood flow in the lower extremities. The recovery time for balloon angioplasty is less than a week and the results are quick, making it a minimally invasive treatment for May-Thurner Syndrome.

Iliac Vein Stenting

A stent is a small wire tube inserted into the vein to hold it open. Venous stenting in May-Thurner Syndrome could be done in the left iliac vein to improve blood flow by reducing iliac vein compression and reducing the risk you will develop deep vein thrombosis or blood clots.

Conclusion

May-Thurner Syndrome occurs most commonly in women, women who have given birth recently or more than once, women who take birth control, and who are dehydrated. Many people with May-Thurner Syndrome will have no symptoms at all.

Life expectancy with May-Thurner Syndrome is completely normal if you take care to get any symptoms such as varicose veins checked out by a medical professional, prioritize blood flow and blood clot prevention, and have any procedures your doctor deems necessary to relieve iliac vein compression.