Everyone Healthy Library
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
! Seek urgent medical care if warning signs appear
Some health conditions or symptoms can become urgent. Use this page for education, but seek help quickly if warning signs are present.
Get urgent medical care now if there is any severe, sudden, rapidly worsening or worrying symptom, especially:
- chest pain, pressure or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
- trouble breathing, blue lips, severe wheeze or choking
- stroke-like symptoms such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech trouble
- collapse, fainting, seizure, confusion or extreme drowsiness
- severe bleeding, black stools, vomiting blood or major injury
- severe allergic reaction, swelling of the face/throat or widespread rash with breathing trouble
- severe abdominal pain, severe headache, stiff neck or sudden vision change
- signs of severe dehydration, sepsis, high fever with worsening illness, or symptoms in a baby/young child that concern you
Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Condition overview
Attributes
Commonalityis rare
Incidenceis approximately 1 in 5,000 people
Linked signs and symptoms
7Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
5Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
4Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Surgery
1Medical therapy
1Behavioural changes
1Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
10These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
- Activated Coagulation Time (ACT)
- Antithrombin 111 (AT-111) Activity Test
- Coagulation Factor Assay (Blood Clotting Factors)
- D-Dimer Blood Test
- Fibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products, FSPs, Fibrin Breakdown Products, Fbps)
- Fibrin Monomers Test
- Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) Action Assay
- Plasminogen Activity
- Protein C (PC ANtigen)
- Protein S Concentration
Biological markers/agents
10This visual map shows biological markers/agents reported as increased or decreased with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
4- D-DimerReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 0–240 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsD-Dimer Blood Test
- Fibrin MonomersReference range example0–10,000 µg/LLinked diagnostic testsFibrin Monomers Test
- Fibrin Split ProductsReference range exampleAll: 0–1 mg/dLLinked diagnostic testsFibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products
- Fibrinopeptide A (FPA)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 0.7–3.1 mg/mL; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 0.35–2.5 mg/mLLinked diagnostic testsFibrinopeptide A (FPA) Action Assay
Often decreased
6- Antithrombin 111 (AT-111)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 90–110 %Linked diagnostic testsAntithrombin 111 (AT-111) Activity Test
- Coagulation Bleeding TimeReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 65–110 secondsLinked diagnostic testsActivated Coagulation Time (ACT)
- Factor V (Labile Factor, Proaccelerin, Percentage of Normal Value)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 50–150 %Linked diagnostic testsCoagulation Factor Assay (Blood Clotting Factors)
- PlasminogenReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 65–153 %; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 70–120 %Linked diagnostic testsPlasminogen Activity
- Protein CReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 70–150 %Linked diagnostic testsProtein C (PC ANtigen)
- Protein SReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y), Female: 50–120 %; Adult ( > 16y), Male: 55–120 %Linked diagnostic testsProtein S Concentration
Introduction / full article
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) refers to a condition when a blood clot or thrombus is formed in a deep vein situated frequently in the leg which can cause pain and swelling. Most cases resolve spontaneously however some lead to complications such as pulmonary embolism which can be fatal. [1] [2]
Epidemiology
The condition is becoming increasingly prevalent. Indeed, it has been estimated that 80 cases per 100,000 are recorded each year. DVT is a top cause of morbidity and death among patients admitted in hospitals particularly bedridden ones. Most of the affected people have age greater than 40 years old. Males have a higher risk. People belonging to the Asian and Hispanic race have relatively lower risk of developing the condition. [2]
Causes
Blood clots may form due to a variety of reasons. Most often, it is due to an alteration in the blood flow in the veins. A person gets a higher chance of developing DVT when he or she has a relative who also had blood clots, has been in a prolonged bedrest, has fractures along the leg or pelvic area, has given birth within the last six months, has undergone a surgical procedure recently particularly in the hip, knee or pelvis, has been sitting for long hours such as during a travel and if he has a pacemaker catheter that has been inserted via a vein located in the groin. Also being obese, cigarette smoking and taking contraceptive pills are considered risk factors. An individual also is more predisposed to develop clotting problems when he or she has medical diseases such as cancer and autoimmune illnesses. [3]
Signs and Symptoms
More often than not, large veins in the legs are affected and the condition typically involves just one side of the body. The affected area may appear red and swollen. When touched, it feels warm and often there is accompanying pain. [3]
Diagnosis
The patient’s medical history is obtained and a physical exam is performed. Laboratory exams that may be done include D-dimer blood test and doppler ultrasound exam. [3]
Treatment
Heparin is classically given. This may be prescribed together with another drug called warfarin. The patient may be asked to wear pressure stockings to improve blood flow and avert potential complications.
References:
1. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Deep-vein-thrombosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
2. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1911303-overview#aw2aab6b2b2
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000156.htm