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| CIRCULATORY DISORDERS |
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
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Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs.
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a serious condition because a blood clot that has formed in the vein can break loose and travel to the lungs. This is called Pulmonary (lung) Embolism.
CAUSES
Several factors contribute to clot formation, including:
* Slow blood flow, often due to lying or sitting still for an extended period of time
* Pooling of blood in a vein, often due to:
a)Immobility
b)Medical conditions
c)Damage to valves in a vein or pressure on the valves, such as during pregnancy
* Injury to a blood vessel
* Clotting problems (can occur due to aging or disease)
* Catheters placed in a vein
RISK FACTORS
* Not moving the body.Sitting for long periods of time, such as when driving or flying.
* Hospitalization
* Surgery, especially involving bones or joints
* Medical conditions such as:
a)Varicose veins
b)Cancer
c)Heart failure
d)Heart attack
e)Inflammatory bowel disease
f)Blood disorders
* Obesity
* History of deep vein thrombosis
* Taking birth control pills or estrogen therapy
* Pregnancy
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms occur when:
* The clot interferes with blood flow in the vein
* Local inflammation occurs
* A clot breaks free and travels to the lungs
Some patients may not experience any symptoms until the clot moves to the lungs, a condition called Pulmonary Embolism.
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis may include:
* Pain
* Swelling of a limb
* Tenderness along the vein
* Warmth
* Redness, paleness, or blueness of the skin of the affected limb.
DIAGNOSIS
Tests may include:
DUPLEX VENOUS ULTRASOUND – a test that uses sound waves to detect changes in blood flow.
VENOGRAPHY – X-rays taken after dye is injected into a small vein to show areas of normal and abnormal blood flow.
IMPEDANCE PLETHYSMOGRAPHY – measures changes in blood volume in the veins as a blood pressure cuff wrapped around the thigh is inflated and deflated.
TREATMENT OF DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS
Treatment aims to:
* Prevent Pulmonary Embolism
* Stop the clot from growing
* Dissolve the clot (sometimes)
Treatments include:
SUPPORTIVE CARE
This may include:
* Resting in bed
* Elevating the affected limb above the heart
* Wearing compression stockings as recommended by the doctor.
MEDICATIONS
Anticoagulant drugs to prevent additional clot formation include:
* Heparin injection – fast-acting drug that prevents more clot formation (given for several days)
* Warfarin (taken by mouth) – slowly prevents more clot formation (usually given for several months)
* Fibrinolytic enzymes – helps to dissolve a major clot. These include:
a)Streptokinase
b)Urokinase
c)TPA
SURGERY
In certain situations, doctors may place a filter in the inferior vena cava, a major vein returning blood from the lower body to the heart. The filter may trap any clots that break loose and travel toward the lungs.
PREVENTION
General prevention measures include:
* Not sitting for long periods, such as in a car or airplane or at a computer (Get up frequently and move around.)
* Not smoking
If you are admitted to the hospital, talk to your doctor about how to prevent blood clots, such as:
* Getting out of bed and walking as soon as possible during your recovery
* If you are restricted to bed:
- Doing range of motion exercises in bed
- Changing your position at least every two hours
* Wearing compression stockings, which promotes venous blood flow.
* Taking anticoagulant medication if advised by your doctor.
* Using a pneumatic compression device (a device that uses air to compress your legs and help improve venous blood flow).
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| Last Modified :
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 |
Compiled and edited by the Editorial team and
approved by Expert panel of h4heart.com
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