Dr. Robert Cutchen Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Meet Dr. Robert Cutchen

In 2009, Dr. Cutchen founded Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute, a clinic dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. His goal was to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options all in the comfort of his office without the need for hospitalization. Our goal is to treat every patient the way we ourselves would hope to be treated.

Read Dr. Cutchen’s full bio here

Vein Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Vein Treatments

We provide our patients with the most advanced and comprehensive vein treatments. See the difference between before and after.

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Aesthetic Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Aesthetic Treatments

We utilize the power of advanced laser technology to treat a multitude of cosmetic concerns. See what a difference our treatments can make.

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Patient Resources Albuquerque & Santa FeDo you have a question?

Discover our FAQ pages to find your answers. If you still have a question, please call us at (505) 848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Your legs contain some of your body’s biggest veins, and they must work against gravity to return blood to the heart. When deep vein thrombosis occurs in these veins, they require treatment to avoid complications. Fortunately, a customized treatment plan can improve symptoms and protect your health. 

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs in the deep veins of the legs. If blood flow slows through these veins, blood can form clots. Your blood naturally clots in response to injuries, but clots inside your veins can block blood flow. Pieces of this clot can break off and become trapped in the veins to the lungs, a life-threatening situation. 

DVT may cause leg cramps or pain but often has few or no symptoms. Dr. Robert Cutchen at Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute often diagnoses the condition with a venous duplex ultrasound that lets him visualize flow through the veins. 

Deep Vein Thrombosis Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Although blood clots can form anywhere in the body, they often develop deep in the venous system, often in the pelvis or leg.  They develop when a clump of blood changes from liquid to a thick gel-like substance. Although clotting is sometimes a necessary process that can prevent an injured person from losing too much blood, they can potentially be dangerous – or even life threatening – if they form in your leg veins.  Let’s look at how we can avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Albuquerque Deep Vein Thrombosis

People don’t spend much time thinking about their veins. After all, they silently do their work underneath the surface of the skin. However, one medical condition involving the veins, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), is often underdiagnosed and serious, but measures can be taken to decrease risk. The Center for Disease Control estimates that as many as 350,000 – 900,000 Americans develop venous blood clots each year. Let’s take a look at what it is and what warning signs we may see.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of your body, usually in your legs, but sometimes in your arm. The signs and symptoms of a DVT include:

  • Swelling, usually in one leg (or arm)
  • Leg pain or tenderness often described as a cramp or Charley horse
  • Reddish or bluish skin discoloration
  • Leg (or arm) warm to touch

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common but serious medical condition that occurs in approximately 2 million Americans each year. A DVT is a blood clot in one of the deep veins of the leg or arm. While this can cause significant local symptoms the greatest concern is with the possibility of the clot coming loose and traveling to the lungs which is known as a Pulmonary Embolism and can be fatal. Learn the risk factors, signs and symptoms for DVT.

The symptoms of DVT may be subtle and difficult to detect. When DVT is spotted early and properly treated, the risk of complications is reduced. When left untreated, it may cause severe complications, some even fatal. Pulmonary Embolism kills up to 300,000 people a year in the U.S. — that’s more than AIDS and breast cancer combined!

Almost 2 million Americans develop Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) each year. These blood clots can come loose and travel to the lungs with serious consequences. In fact, more people die each year from blood clots than breast cancer and HIV combined. Some risk factors include heart/respiratory failure, restricted mobility (long-distance travel), cancer, obesity, recent surgery, smoking, pregnancy, or inherited clotting disorders.