Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Description

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling. There are often no noticeable symptoms.

You can get the deep venous thrombosis (DVT) if you have certain medical conditions that affect how the blood clots. A blood clot in the legs can also develop if they are not moved for a long time. For example, you can't move a lot when you are travelling a long distance or when you're on bed rest due to surgery, illness, or an accident.

Deep vein thrombosis can be very serious because blood clots in the veins can break loose. The clots can travel through the bloodstream and get stuck in the lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism). When the deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occur together, which is called venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Symptoms

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) symptoms may include:

  • The swelling of the legs
  • Leg pain, cramps, or pain that often starts in your calf
  • Change in color of the skin on the leg — like red or purple, depending on the color of their skin
  • A sensation of warmth in the affected leg

Deep vein thrombosis can occur without obvious symptoms.

When to see a doctor

If you develop symptoms of DVT , contact your health care provider.

If you develop symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE) — a life-threatening complication of deep vein thrombosis — seek emergency medical help.

The warning signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:

  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or discomfort that worsens when you take a deep breath or when you cough
  • Feelings of dizziness or vertigo
  • Fainting
  • Rapid pulse
  • Rapid breathing
  • Coughing up blood

Causes

Anything that prevents blood from flowing properly or clotting of the blood can cause a blood clot.

The main causes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are damage to a vein of the surgery, or inflammation and damage due to infection or injury.

Risk factors

There are many things that can increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk of DVT . The risk factors for DVT include:

  • Age. Be over 60 years of age increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis . But the DVT can occur at any age.
  • The lack of movement. When the legs do not move for a long time, the calf muscles do not tighten (contract). Muscle contractions help the blood to flow. Sitting for a long time, as, for example, drive or fly, increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis . What makes long-term bed rest, which may be the result of a long stay in the hospital or a medical condition such as paralysis.
  • Injury, or surgery. The injury of the veins, or surgery may increase the risk of blood clots.
  • Pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins of the pelvis and legs. The risk of blood clots in the pregnancy can continue for up to six weeks after the birth of the baby. People with a bleeding disorder inherited are especially at risk.
  • Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) or hormone replacement therapy. Both can increase the blood's ability to clot.
  • Being overweight or obese. Being overweight increases the pressure in the veins of the pelvis and legs.
  • The habit of smoking. Smoking affects how blood flows and blood clots, which can increase the risk of DVT .
  • Cancer. Some cancers increase of substances in the blood that cause clotting of the blood. Some types of treatment for cancer also increase the risk of blood clots.
  • Heart failure. Heart failure increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Because the heart and lungs don't work well in people with heart failure, the symptoms caused by even a small pulmonary embolism are more noticeable.
  • The inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis increase the risk of DVT .
  • A personal or family history ofDVTor pulmonary embolism (PE). If you or someone in your family has had one or both of these conditions, you may be at higher risk of developing DVT .
  • Genetics. Some people have changes in the DNA that causes the blood to clot more easily. An example is factor V Leiden. This inherited disorder changes one of the clotting factors in the blood. An inherited disorder in and of itself may not cause blood clots, unless it is combined with other risk factors.

Sometimes, a blood clot in a vein can occur with any risk factor identified. This is called an unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Complications

Complications of deep vein thrombosis can include:

  • Pulmonary embolism (PE).Esrp potentially dangerous complication associated withDVT. Occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one leg or in another area of the body that breaks down and gets stuck in a blood vessel in the lung. Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms ofPE. These include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing or coughing, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling light-headed or fainting, and coughing up blood.
  • Postphlebitic syndrome. The damage to the veins of the coagulation of the blood reduces the flow of blood in the affected areas. Symptoms include pain in the legs, leg swelling, skin color changes and skin sores.
  • Complications of the treatment. Anticoagulants are often used for the treatment of DVT . Bleeding (hemorrhage) is a distressing side effect of blood thinners. It is important to have regular blood tests while you are taking medicines to thin the blood.

Pulmonary embolism (PE). PE is a potentially life-threatening complication associated with deep venous thrombosis . Occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one leg or in another area of the body that breaks down and gets stuck in a blood vessel in the lung.

Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of pd . These include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing or coughing, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling light-headed or fainting, and coughing up blood.

Prevention

Lifestyle changes can help prevent deep vein thrombosis. Try these strategies:

  • Move the legs.If you have had surgery or have been on bed rest, try to move as soon as possible. Do not cross your legs while sitting. Doing so may block the flow of blood. When you travel, take frequent breaks to stretch your legs. When on a plane, standing or walking from time to time. If you're traveling by car, stop every hour and walk around. If you can't walk, not the lower part of the leg exercises. Raise and lower the heels with the toes of the feet on the ground. Then, lift the toes, keeping your heels on the floor.
  • Do not smoke. Smoking increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis .
  • Control the weight. Obesity is a risk factor for deep venous thrombosis . Regular exercise reduces the risk of blood clots. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to do more exercise.

Move the legs. If you have had surgery or have been on bed rest, try to move as soon as possible. Do not cross your legs while sitting. Doing so may block the flow of blood.

When you travel, take frequent breaks to stretch your legs. When on a plane, standing or walking from time to time. If you're traveling by car, stop every hour and walk around. If you can't walk, not the lower part of the leg exercises. Raise and lower the heels with the toes of the feet on the ground. Then, lift the toes, keeping your heels on the floor.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Diagnosis

To diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT), your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. The doctor will check your legs for swelling, tenderness, or changes in the color of the skin.

The tests you have depend on if your doctor believes that you are in a low level or a high risk of DVT .

Tests

The tests used to diagnose or rule out DVT include:

  • D-dimer blood test. D-dimer is a type of protein produced by blood clots. Almost all people with severe DVT have increased blood levels of dimer D. This test can often help to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE).
  • The duplex ultrasound. This non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of how blood flows through your veins. It is the standard test for the diagnosis of DVT . For the test, a care provider gently moves a small hand-held device (transducer) on the skin over the area of the body being studied. Additional ultrasounds may be done over several days to check if there is new blood clots or to see if an existing one is growing.
  • Venography. This test uses X-rays and a means to create an image of the veins in the legs and feet. The dye is injected into a large vein in the foot or ankle. Helps to make blood vessels show up more clearly on x-rays. The test is invasive, so it is rarely done. Other tests, such as ultrasound, are often performed for the first time.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test may be done to diagnose deep vein thrombosis in the veins of the belly (abdomen).

Treatment

There are three main targets for the treatment of DVT.

  • To prevent the clot from getting bigger.
  • Prevent the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs.
  • To reduce the chances of another DVT .

DVT treatment options include:

  • A blood thinner.These drugs, also called blood thinners help prevent blood clots from getting bigger. Blood thinners reduce the risk of developing more blood clots from forming. Anticoagulants can be taken by mouth or given intravenously (by IV) or by injection under the skin. There are many different types of medications to thin the blood is used to treatDVT. Together, you and your health care provider will explain the benefits and risks to determine the best for you. You may need to take blood thinner pills for three months or more. It is important to take them exactly as prescribed to prevent serious side effects. People who take a blood thinner called warfarin (Jantoven) need blood tests to check the levels of the drug in the body. Certain blood-thinning medications are not safe to take during pregnancy.
  • Clot busters (thrombolytics).These drugs are used for the most severe types of ofDVTorPE, or if other medications are not working. Clot busters are given byor through a tube (catheter) that is placed directly into the clot. Can cause serious bleeding, so that is usually only used for people with serious blood clots.
  • Filters. If you can't take blood-thinning drugs, a filter can be placed in a large vein — inferior vena cava in your belly (abdomen). A vena cava filter prevents the formation of blood clots that is separate accommodation in the lungs.
  • The compression socks (compression stockings). These knee socks will help prevent the build up of blood in the legs. Help reduce the swelling of the legs. Take in the legs of their feet above the level of his knees. For DVT , it is often the wear compression stockings during the day for a couple of years, if possible.

A blood thinner. These drugs, also called blood thinners help prevent blood clots from getting bigger. Blood thinners reduce the risk of developing more blood clots from forming.

Anticoagulants can be taken by mouth or given intravenously (by IV) or by injection under the skin. There are many different types of medications to thin the blood is used for the treatment of DVT . Together, you and your health care provider will explain the benefits and risks to determine the best for you.

You may need to take blood thinner pills for three months or more. It is important to take them exactly as prescribed to prevent serious side effects.

People who take a blood thinner called warfarin (Jantoven) need blood tests to check the levels of the drug in the body. Certain blood-thinning medications are not safe to take during pregnancy.

Clot busters (thrombolytics). These drugs are used for the most severe types of DVT or pe , or if other medications are not working.

Clot busters are given by or through a tube (catheter) that is placed directly into the clot. Can cause serious bleeding, so that is usually only used for people with serious blood clots.

Self-care

After treatment of DVT, follow these tips to treat the disease and prevent complications or more blood clots:

  • Ask about your diet. Foods high in vitamin K, such as spinach, kale, other leafy greens, and Brussels sprouts, may interfere with the anticoagulant warfarin.
  • Take medications as directed. Your doctor will tell you how long treatment is needed. If you are taking certain blood thinners, you will need to have regular blood tests to check how well your blood is clotting.
  • Watch for excessive bleeding. This can be a side effect of blood thinners. Ask your health care provider about the warning signs. Know what to do if bleeding happens. Also ask your doctor if you have activity restrictions. Minor injuries that cause bruising or even a simple cut can become serious if you are taking blood thinners.
  • Move. If you have been on bed rest due to a surgery or other reasons, before you get yourself in motion, the lower the chance of blood clots develop.
  • Wear support stockings. Wear these to help prevent blood clots in the legs if your doctor recommends it.

Preparing for your appointment

DVT is a medical emergency. It is important to get it treated quickly. If there is time before your appointment, here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to deep vein thrombosis, and when they began
  • Important personal information, including notes about travel, hospital stays, any illness, surgery or trauma in the last three months, and any personal or family history of blood-clotting disorders
  • All the medications, vitamins, or other supplements you are taking, including dose
  • Questions to ask your health care provider

If possible, take a family member or a friend with you to help you remember the information they give you.

For DVT , questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best treatment?
  • What are the options other than the main, the treatment that you are suggesting?
  • I'm going to need to restrict travel or activities?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • You have been inactive lately, such as sitting or lying down for a long time?
  • Do you always have symptoms, or come and go?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms better?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms worse?
Symptoms and treatment of Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)