Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Article
2021-01-31

Also known as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE).

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition that includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis. A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs.

The risk of developing VTE is highest after major surgery or serious injury, or if you have heart failure, cancer, or a heart attack. Swelling, redness, and pain are some of the signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. A pulmonary embolism can cause sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Sometimes VTE occurs without obvious signs. Medicines that help prevent further blood clots from forming or dissolve severe artery blockages are the main treatments for VTE. Without treatment, VTE can restrict or block blood flow and oxygen, which can damage the tissues or organs of the body. This can be especially serious in the case of a pulmonary embolism, which blocks blood flow to the lungs. If a blood clot is large or if there are many blood clots, a pulmonary embolism can cause death.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of VTE are not the same for everyone. Sometimes VTE does not cause symptoms until serious complications arise. In other cases, deep vein thrombosis causes swelling or discomfort near the blood clot. Pulmonary embolism can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. Pulmonary embolism can be a life-threatening condition.

Deep vein thrombosis can cause the following around the area of a blood clot:

Swelling
Pain or tenderness
Increased warmth, cramps, or pain in the area that is swollen or painful, usually the calf or thigh
Red or discolored skin

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:

Shortness of breath
Pain with deep breathing
Breathe quickly
Increased heart rate

Less common signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism are a cough, with or without blood; feelings of fear or anxiety; feeling light-headed or fainting; and sweating.

Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you have signs or symptoms of VTE. Deep vein thrombosis should be taken seriously as it can lead to pulmonary embolism.

Therapy

Not everyone diagnosed with VTE needs treatment. In some cases, your doctor will detect a clot and decide to check it instead of treating it right away. Doctors usually recommend medications to treat VTE, but a vena cava filter can be used if you cannot use the medicine.

Medicines

Anticoagulants or blood thinners and thrombolytics are drugs commonly used to treat VTE.

Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood clots from getting bigger and prevent new clots from forming. Common blood thinners include warfarin and heparin, but newer blood thinners are also available. To take them, you can get an injection, take a pill, or have an IV tube inserted. Possible side effects include bleeding, especially if you are taking other medicines that thin your blood, such as aspirin.
Thrombin inhibitors disrupt the clot formation process. They can be used for people who cannot use heparin.
Thrombolytics can be used to dissolve large blood clots that cause severe symptoms or other serious complications. Because thrombolytics can cause sudden bleeding, they are only used for serious and potentially life-threatening VTE events, such as pulmonary embolism.

Catheter assisted thrombus removal

In some cases, including emergencies, a doctor may need to remove a thrombus using a catheter. In this procedure, a flexible tube is used to reach a blood clot in your lungs. The doctor can insert a tool into the tube to break up the clot or to deliver drugs through the tube. Usually, you will be given medication to put you to sleep before this procedure.

Vena cava filter

Some mePeople who cannot use blood thinners may need a vena cava filter to treat their deep vein thrombosis. The filter is inserted into a large vein called the vena cava. The filter traps blood clots before they travel to the lungs, which prevents pulmonary embolism. However, the filter does not stop new blood clots from forming. A filter is usually not recommended if you have taken blood thinners.

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