Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein deep in the body. Veins are blood vessels with valves that help prevent backward blood flow. Blood is pushed through the veins in legs and arms when muscles contract.
Deposits of red blood cells and clotting elements in the blood can build up in a vein. This build up leads to a blood clot. Clots usually occur in the legs but can occur in other locations. As the clot grows, it blocks blood flow in the vein.
Several factors contribute to clot formation, including:
Risk factors for DVT include:
Symptoms occur when:
Some patients may not have any symptoms until the clot moves to the lungs. This condition is called pulmonary embolism .
Symptoms of DVT may include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include:
Treatment aims to:
Treatments include:
This may include:
Anticoagulant drugs to prevent additional clot formation include:
In some cases, a filter may be placed in the inferior vena cava. The vena cava is a major vein. Blood from the lower body returns to the heart through this vein. The filter may trap any clots that break loose before it travels to the lungs.
If you are diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, follow your doctor's instructions .
General prevention measures include:
If you are admitted to the hospital, talk to your doctor about how to prevent blood clots, such as:
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
American Venous Forum
http://www.venous-info.com/index.html/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Heart and Stroke Association
http://ww1.heartandstroke.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
References:
Buller HR, Agnelli G, Hull RD, et al. Antithrombotic therapy for venous thromboembolic disease: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(suppl 3):401S-428S.
Cecil RL, Goldman L, Bennett J. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Church V. Staying on guard for DVT & PE. Nursing. 2000;30(2):34-42.
Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy 2001. 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Geerts WH, Pineo GF, Heit JA, et al. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(suppl 3):338S-400S.
Harrison TR, Fauci AS. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.
Hirsch J, Hoak J. Management of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Circulation. 1996;93(12):2212-2245.
Ramzi DW, Leeper KV. DVT and pulmonary embolism: Part I. Diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2004;69(12):2829-2836.
Ramzi DW, Leeper KV. DVT and pulmonary embolism: Part II. Treatment and prevention. Am Fam Physician. 2004;69(12):2841-2848.
Rosen P, Barkin RM, Danzl DF, et al. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book, Inc; 1998.
Segal JB. Streiff MB. Hoffman LV. Thornton K. Bass EB. Management of venous thromboembolism: a systematic review for a practice guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(3):211-222.
10/27/2006 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Junger M, Diehm C, Storiko H, et al. Mobilization versus immobilization in the treatment of acute proximal deep venous thrombosis: a prospective, randomized, open, multicentre trial. Curr Med Res Opin. 2006;22:593-602.
5/11/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Bezemer ID, van der Meer FJ, Eikenboom JC, Rosendaal FR, Doggen CJ. The value of family history as a risk indicator for venous thrombosis. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:610-615.
6/4/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Bahl V, Hu HM, Henke PK, Wakefield TW, Campbell DA Jr, Caprini JA. A validation study of a retrospective venous thromboembolism risk scoring method. Ann Surg. 2010;251(2):344-350.
Last reviewed November 2009 by David N. Smith, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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