What is DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in the deep leg vein. It is a very serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the leg or a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. In the United States alone, 600,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. One in every 100 people who develops DVT dies. Recently, it has been referred to as "Economy Class Syndrome" due to the occurrence after sitting on long flights.

The deep veins that lie near the center of the leg are surrounded by powerful muscles that contract and force deoxygenated blood back to the lungs and heart. One-way valves prevent the back-flow of blood between the contractions. (Blood is squeezed up the leg against gravity and the valves prevent it from flowing back to our feet.) When the circulation of the blood slows down due to illness, injury or inactivity, blood can accumulate or "pool," which provides an ideal setting for clot formation.

Watch Deep Vein Thrombosis Video below:

The Vascular Disease Foundation is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to help reduce disability and death from vascular disease.

What are the Risk Factors?

Previous DVT or family history of DVT
Immobility, such as bed rest or sitting for long periods of time
Recent surgery
Above the age of 40
Hormone therapy or oral contraceptives
Pregnancy or post-partum
Previous or current cancer
Limb trauma and/or orthopedic procedures
Coagulation abnormalities
Obesity
Smoking

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Discoloration of the legs
Calf or leg pain or tenderness
Swelling of the leg or lower limb
Warm skin
Surface veins become more visible
Leg fatigue
Some people with DVT may have no symptoms.

Pulmonary Embolism

Left untreated, a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can break off and travel in the circulation, getting trapped in the lung, where it blocks the oxygen supply, causing heart failure. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. With early treatment, people with DVT can reduce their chances of developing a life threatening pulmonary embolism to less than one percent. Blood thinners like heparin and coumadin are effective in preventing further clotting and can prevent a pulmonary embolism from occurring.

It is estimated that each year more than 600,000 patients suffer a pulmonary embolism.
PE causes or contributes to up to 200,000 deaths annually in the United States.
One in every 100 patients who develop DVT die due to pulmonary embolism.
A majority of pulmonary embolism are caused by DVT.
If pulmonary embolism can be diagnosed and appropriate therapy started, the mortality can be reduced from approximately 30 percent to less than ten percent.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism

The symptoms are frequently nonspecific and can mimic many other cardiopulmonary events.

Shortness of breath
Rapid pulse
Sweating
Sharp chest pain
Coughing up blood
Fainting

How can I prevent DVT?

Many cases of DVT can be prevented through regular activity, healthy eating and talking to your health care provider about preventing blood clots before any surgical procedures or hospitalizations. You should also tell your health care provider if you have any risk factors for DVT.

You can reduce your risk by:

Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Not smoking
Moving around as soon as you're able following long-term bed rest

When sitting for long periods of time, such as when traveling for more than six hours:

Exercise your legs frequently while you're sitting
Get up and walk around every 2 to 3 hours
Wear loose-fitting clothes
Drink plenty of water, and limit alcohol and caffeine while traveling

Patient Information and Medical Disclaimer

Information posted on this Web site by SIR or Coastal Vascular & Interventional, PLLC should not be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation or discussion with an interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon. It is very important that individuals with specific medical problems or questions consult with their doctor or other health care professional.