Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
The medical term for blood clots in the veins, most commonly in the legs, is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Another commonly used term is "venous thromboembolism," or VTE, which actually refers to both DVT and pulmonary embolism, or blood clots in the lungs. Because the two conditions are so closely related, this word is utilized. Furthermore, their treatment and prevention are intimately intertwined.
A blood clot or thrombus in a deep vein is known as deep vein thrombosis. They occur most frequently in the leg. However, they could appear in the arm or another area of the body. An embolus, a fragment of the clot, might separate and go to the lungs (PE). This may stop the flow of blood to the entire lung or only a portion of it. PE is a life-threatening emergency.
A family history of blood clots, varicose veins, cancer, obesity, surgery, immobility, birth control pills, and varicose veins are a few risk factors. Yet usually, no cause is discovered. The most common symptoms of DVT in sufferers are discomfort, edema, and redness in the arm, leg, or other location. DVT occasionally has no symptoms. The clots may dissolve with time or issues may develop. The two most frequent side effects of a blood clot are post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic venous insufficiency.
- After a blood clot in a leg vein, chronic venous insufficiency may develop. It denotes a vein's diminished ability to function. Blood pools in the vein over a lengthy period of time instead of returning to the heart due to this chronic disease. Leg pain and swelling are typical symptoms.
- A blood clot in a leg vein may potentially result in post-thrombotic syndrome. It is a chronic issue that causes pain, edema, and redness. Sores and ulcers can also develop. It could be difficult to walk and engage in daily activities as a result of all these symptoms.
How is deep vein thrombosis diagnosed?
We may perform other exams in addition to a medical history and physical examination, such as:
Duplex ultrasound. Using a handheld instrument, ultrasound gel is applied to the injured area during this painless process. On a monitor, a picture of the blood flow is seen. The most frequent test for DVT is duplex ultrasound.
Laboratory work. To screen for blood clotting and other issues, blood tests may be performed.
What are the methods of treating deep vein thrombosis?
Your vascular interventional radiologist, who specializes in venous illness, will decide on a specific course of treatment depending on:
- How old are you?
- Your general well-being and medical background
- How ill are you?
- The place where the clot is
- Your capacity to handle a particular medication, operation, or therapy
- Expected duration of the condition
- Your preference or opinion
Treatments are intended to stop the clot from growing larger, stop a blood clot from moving to the lungs (PE), lessen the likelihood that another blood clot will form, and stop PTS from developing.
Treatment options include:
- Anticoagulants, or blood thinners.
- Moving as soon as you can after receiving a diagnosis.
- If your doctor advises them, compression or elastic stockings.
- Fibrinolytics or thrombolytics, which dissolve clots. These drugs are used to dissolve blood clots. It can be administered by your interventional radiologist straight into the clot utilizing Catheter Directed Thrombolysis (CDT), a minimally invasive endovascular procedure. This is normally a day case and, in carefully assessed patients, has been demonstrated to improve symptoms and complications of DVT.
- Clot vacuum. These are tiny (less than the width of a pen) devices that an IR specialist can insert right into the vein where the clot is, remove the clot from there, and then allow normal blood flow to resume.
- Filter in the inferior vena cava. The vena cava, a sizable vein that carries blood from the body back to the heart, may occasionally have a filter inserted into it. Clots are kept from entering the heart and lungs thanks to this filter.