Description A blood clot embedd...
Description
A blood clot embedded in one of the major deep veins of the legs, arms or pelvis. The clot blocks blood flow through these veins preventing blood from being brought back to the heart. Smoking, certain inherited (genetic) conditions (including factor V Leiden mutation, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, and antithrombin III deficiency), birth control pills, prolonged sitting, cancer, bed rest, giving birth, intravenous catheters, and recent fractures increase the risk of DVT. If the blood clot breaks away it can travel through the heart and lodge in the pulmonary artery causing a life threatening disease called pulmonary embolus.
Symptoms
Leg pain, leg swelling, groin pain, leg tenderness, leg discoloration, arm pain, arm swelling, arm discoloration.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A D-dimer, a blood test, is most useful in helping rule out a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A noninvasive vascular assessment (NIVA), such as an ultrasound test, is done to diagnose the DVT. Blood tests to look for a hypercoagulable state may be performed.
Tests:
D-Dimer
Other Specific Tests: NIVA (noninvasive vascular assessment)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Blood and Cancer Care (hematology and oncology), Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A D-dimer, a blood test, is most useful in helping rule out a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A noninvasive vascular assessment (NIVA), such as an ultrasound test, is done to diagnose the DVT. Blood tests to look for a hypercoagulable state may be performed.
Tests:
D-Dimer
Other Specific Tests: NIVA (noninvasive vascular assessment)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Blood and Cancer Care (hematology and oncology), Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Treatment
When treatment begins, anticoagulants (blood thinners) are usually recommended as an injection (such as enoxaparin or heparin) and/or orally (warfarin). The anticoagulant effects of the warfarin are measured and when the amount of blood thinning from the warfarin is adequate the enoxaparin is discontinued. Large blood clots may be removed from the vein either surgically or with medication delivered directly into the affected vein.