Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment

Deep vein thrombosis:

It is the presence of blood clot within the lumen of the deep veins of the body especially calf veins.

Symptoms

  • Swollen leg
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Warmth over the swelling.
  • If DVT dislodges and gets blocked in the pulmonary venous system it causes pulmonary embolism.
  • Symptoms include
  • Sudden onset breathlessness
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Causes:

  • Age >60years are more prone to DVT
  • Injury to veins/ surgery
  • Prolonged immobilization as in bed ridden state, hospital stays
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Oral contraceptive pills/ Hormone replacement therapy
  • Smoking
  • Cancer
  • Familial
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    Diagnosis

    Your doctor will do examination of the involved limb to assess the condition.
    Doppler/Duplex scans of the involved limb to identify the blood clots.
    D-dimer levels

    Treatment:

    Blood thinners are generally used in treatment of DVT. Anticoagulants such as warfarin are generally used. It takes 3-5 days to act. During that time low molecular weight heparin is used and discontinued. Warfarin is continued. It is monitored by pt/inr test.

    Newer anticoagulants such as rivoraxaban and Dabigatran can be used without briding time.

    Cavalfilters :
    Filters are placed in the venacava to trap the embolus from the DVT segment thus preventing pulmonary embolism.
    Compression stockings:

    Compression stockings can be worn preventing stasis of blood in the extremities and thus preventing deep vein thrombosis.