Anticoagulant Medication - Used primarily to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism, patients take a brief course of heparin (an anticoagulant) for less than a week, also start on a 3-to-6 month course of warfarin, which increase in the time it takes for blood to clot.This procedure is designed to rapidly break up the clot, restore blood flow within the vein, and potentially preserve valve function to minimize the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (a common condition in which the clot remains in the leg because the patient was treated with anticoagulants alone). Thrombectomy Thrombolysis - A catheter-directed thrombolysis is performed under imaging guidance by interventional radiologists.In addition, several treatment options are available: To help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur with DVT, patients are often told to elevate their leg(s), use a heating pad, take walks and wear compression stockings. It is possible for DVT to resolve itself, but there is a risk of recurrence. If a patient has a number of risk factors, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or venography/phlebography (x-ray that identifies the veins and blood clots) are used to screen for DVT. The symptoms frequently are nonspecific and can mimic many other cardiopulmonary events. Some symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, rapid pulse, sweating, sharp chest pain, coughing up blood and fainting. Blood thinners like Heparin and Coumadin are effective in preventing further clotting and can prevent a pulmonary embolism from occurring. With early treatment, those with DVT can reduce their chances of developing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism to less than one percent. The majority of pulmonary embolisms are caused by DVT. Pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal, occurs when a clot becomes trapped in a lung, blocking the oxygen supply and causing heart failure. Swelling (edema) of the leg or lower limb Hormone therapy or use of oral contraceptives Immobility, such as bed rest or sitting for long periods of time Between one and five percent of those affected by DVT will die from complications. Occasionally, the veins of the arms are affected.Īccording to the National Institutes of Health, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs in about one of every 1,000 persons in the U.S. DVT commonly occurs in the lower leg, thigh or pelvis. GW Heart (Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery)ĭeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a vein deep inside the body. The clot may interfere with circulation and break off and travel through the bloodstream where it could lodge in the brain, lungs, heart or other area causing damage.
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