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Deep Vein Thrombosis
Medical Questions » Deep Vein Thrombosis
| Name: Deep Vein Thrombosis |
| Also known as: DVT |
| Blood clot (thrombosis) in one of the veins inside the calf or thigh muscles. |
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
May occur after surgery, with heart failure, poor circulation, cancer, varicose veins, or as an uncommon side effect of oral contraceptives. |
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pain and tightness in the calf which is worse when walking. |
Tests for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Diagnosed by ultrasound scan or special X-ray (venogram) of the leg. Blood tests can show that there is a blood clot somewhere in the body, but not its location. |
Treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Anticoagulant drugs, elevation of the the legs, firm elastic stockings and strict bed rest. In complex or persistent cases surgery may be undertaken to remove the clot or prevent its spread to the lungs. As a form of prevention, patients having major operations may be given special stockings to wear during and after the operation, the foot of the bed may be elevated, and leg exercises encouraged. After a thrombosis, further clots may be prevented by low dose aspirin or medications such as warfarin.
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Complications of Deep Vein Thrombosis of its treatment
If the clot in the veins becomes fragile, small pieces may break off and travel to the heart and then into the lungs where one of the small lung (pulmonary) arteries becomes blocked (pulmonary embolism). The lung beyond this blockage then dies which may have serious effects for the patient. Women who have had blood clots anywhere in the body should not use the contraceptive pill. |
Likely Outcome of Deep Vein Thrombosis
With appropriate treatment, most patients recover in four to six weeks without complications. |
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