Categories: Vascular Surgery

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can develop if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots. It can also happen if you don’t move for a long time, such as after surgery or an accident, or when you’re confined to bed.

Symptoms

Swelling: Swelling in your foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side.
Pain: Cramping pain in your affected leg that usually begins in your calf.
Warmth to the touch: An area of skin that feels warmer than the skin on the surrounding areas.
Redness of the leg or arm: Skin over the affected area turning pale or a reddish or bluish color

Risk Factors

Prolonged sitting or immobility
Recent Surgery
Recent trauma to the lower body
Obesity
Pregnancy or recent childbirth
Heart Attack or Heart Failure
Rare genetic conditions that affect blood clotting factors

Treatment

Treatment is focused on clearing the clot and preventing pulmonary embolism. They include:

Thrombolysis followed with blood thinners
Thrombus aspiration

Preventions

If you have had surgery or have been on bed rest for other reasons, try to get moving as soon as possible. If you’re sitting for a while, don’t cross your legs, which can hamper blood flow.
Lose weight and quit smoking
Regular exercise lowers your risk of blood clots, which is especially important for people who sit a lot or travel frequently.
Blood Thinners don’t break up existing blood clots, but they can prevent clots from getting bigger and reduce your risk of developing more clots
Compressions Stocking pressure helps reduce the chances that your blood will pool and clot.
If you can’t take medicines to thin your blood, you might have a filter inserted into a large vein – the vena cava – in your abdomen. A vena cava filter prevents clots that break loose from lodging in your lungs.