Back to Conditions and TreatmentDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the large veins in the leg or pelvis. DVT can be painless or painful, and generally isn´t life-threatening if it´s quickly treated. Left untreated, DVT can lead to serious health problems if the clot breaks free and travels to the lung artery, creating a pulmonary embolism.
Causes
There are three main causes of DVT:
- Irritated or inflamed inner vein lining
- Blood that quickly clots
- Slow blood flow through a vein deep in the leg or pelvic area
Risk Factors
- Bed rest (during or after an illness or major medical procedure)
- Patients with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment
- Being confined or unable to walk
- Family history of blood clots
- Obesity (a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher)
- Respiratory or heart failure
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Hormone therapy
What are the Symptoms?
Many people with DVT have no symptoms.
DVT symptoms include:
- Leg pain or tenderness in calf muscles
- Leg swelling
- Changes in skin color on the leg or foot
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid pulse
- Cough
How is Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnosed?
- Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to create an image of the veins and identify the presence of blood clots.
- Blood test: Blood may be drawn to examine for evidence of recent clotting.
- Venogram or phlebogram: This procedure injects a dye into a foot vein to make blood flow visible on an X-ray, which measures blood flow in the veins and look for signs of clots.
Treatment at UVA's Heart and Vascular Center
- Compression stockings and anticlotting (anticoagulant) medications: For less-severe cases, a physician may recommend elevating the leg, wearing compression stockings and taking anticoagulant medicines that prevent additional blood clots from forming.
- Thrombolysis: For more-severe cases, a catheter is inserted and moved to the clot´s location. Medication is then applied to the clot to break it up. Following the procedure, you will need to take anticoagulant medication to keep new clots from forming.
- Thrombectomy: Patients who cannot take medications used to break up clots may have a thrombectomy, where the clot is removed through a small groin incision.
