Deep Vein Thrombosis : Signs, symptoms and treatment

 Deep Vein Thrombosis

Definition:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots formed in the deep veins of the legs, including veins in the calves, thigh or hip.

👉 NB:

The majority of DVT's are not life threatening. However, a blood clot that forms in the invisible "deep veins" can be life threatening. A clot that forms in the large, deep veins is more likely to break free and travel through the vein. It is called an embolus. When an embolus travels from the legs or pelvic areas and lodges in a lung artery, the condition is known as a "pulmonary embolism," or PE, a potentially fatal condition if not immediately diagnosed and treated.

Risk factors and causes:

1 / Immobility:

• Hospitalization

• Being paralyzed

• Prolonged sitting

2 / Surgery and Trauma:

• Major surgery (especially of the pelvis, abdomen, hip, knee)   Bone fracture or cast

• Catheter in a big vein (PICC line, central venous catheter, or port)

3 / Increased estrogens:

• Birth control pills, patches, rings

• Pregnancy, including up to 6 weeks after giving birth   Estrogen and progestin hormone therapy

4 / Medical conditions:

• Cancer and chemotherapy

• Heart failure

• Inflammatory disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease)

• The kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome

5 / Other risk factors:

• Previous blood clot

• Family history of clots

• Clotting disorder (inherited or acquired)

• Obesity

• Older age

• Cigarette smoking  

• Varicose veins

Signs and symptoms of DVT:

*About half of patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) do not experience any symptoms. In others, the most common symptoms may include:

• Swelling of the leg

• Pain or tenderness in the leg that may only be present when standing or walking

•  Increased warmth in the leg that is swollen

•  Red or discolored skin

Symptoms are quite different if the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). PE can be fatal, if you experience these signs or symptoms seek medical attention immediately.

Common Signs and Symptoms of (PE) include:

• Shortness of breath

• Sudden chest pain

• A feeling of apprehension

• Sudden collapse

•  Coughing

•  Sweating

•  Bloody phlegm (coughing up blood)

How to discover DVT ?

*It is diagnosed by: 

1 / Physical examination 

2 / Diagnostic studies such as:

• Blood tests: D-dimer is a substance found in blood which is often increased in people with blood clots.

• Imaging studies: Doppler ultrasound, Contrast venogram, MRI and CT.

Treatment of DVT:

• Reducing risk factors

•  Elastic compression stockings should be routinely applied

• Anticoagulants therapy such as heparin and warfarin Thrombolytic therapy