April 20, 2008 (Anchorage, Alaska) – US Ski Team top sprinter Kikkan Randall is doing well and has been discharged from the hospital following the removal of a second blood clot, and will be at home this evening. It looks like May-Thurner Syndrome was the initial factor in the formation of the clot in her leg. Congenital narrowing of the left common iliac vein due to pressure from the overlying artery is called May-Thurner Syndrome and can lead to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of the left leg. The syndrome is named after the authors R. May and J. Thurner, who first described the phenomenon in 1957. It has also been termed the iliac compression syndrome and is also probably the reason why more DVTs occur in the left than in the right leg (Kikkan’s was her left leg). This was the second time Randall had to have a blood clot removed.

Earlier at the end of March during the USSA XC Distance Nationals the first clot was discovered which was removed and tests indicated that she had the genetic disorder known as Factor V Leiden Deficiency (FVL), which occurs in 5-8% of the Caucasian population. Randall learned that she would most likely only need to be on Coumadin (standard blood thinner) for about 6 months as opposed to the rest of her life, as is sometimes the case. Wnen an ultrasound was performed the second clot was revealed so she was re-admitted to the hospital in mid-April for the same procedure (Lytic Therapy) to have the second clot removed.

We join all well-wishers hoping Kikkan has a speedy recovery.