What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis, DVT ?

Posted by Dr Raghu Cardio on November 1st, 2022

A blood clot develops in a vein deep inside the body, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT or venous thrombosis). Although Deep Vein Thrombosis most often occurs in the deep veins of the lower leg and thigh, it may also develop in other parts of the body, including the arms and pelvis. Acute DVT may develop quickly, causing serious trouble. It may also be a long-term disorder in which recurring blood clots impair circulation, most often in the legs. Venous insufficiency is when the body has trouble pumping blood back to the heart due to a clot.

A blood clot is medically known as thrombosis. Emboli, sometimes called thromboembolisms, are blood clots that travel through the circulatory system. If an embolism becomes caught in a blood artery, it may cut off oxygen and nutrients to vital organs, including the heart, brain, and lungs. The embolism may result in life-threatening complications such as a pulmonary embolism, a stroke, or a heart attack.

Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Venous thrombosis often affects persons over 60, however, it may occur in anybody. If your vein blood flow decreases or is obstructed, you may develop a blood clot.

If you have any of the following risk factors, deep vein thrombosis is more likely to occur: 

• Inactivity brought on by prolonged sitting or bed rest; often joint during travel.

• Hereditary thromboembolic disorder

• Placing a tube, called a catheter, into a blood artery for an extended period.

• Obesity

• Overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow due to polycythemia vera.

• recent (within the last six months) pregnancy or delivery

• Recent hip, pelvic, or leg fractures or surgery

Signs and Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Typically, DVT occurs on one side of the body and affects the major veins in the thigh and lower leg. If the clot prevents blood from flowing, it might lead to:

• Skin that is red or deeper in tone
• Leg pain or swelling (edema)
• Having skin that generates heat when touched
• Diagnosing Deep Vein Thrombosis

To figure out what triggers your Deep Vein Thrombosis symptoms, your doctor will do a physical examination. Our medical staff often uses vascular diagnostics and imaging to either rule out or confirm venous thrombosis. Potential areas of inquiry:

The number of each blood cell type in your body may be determined by doing a complete blood count (CBC). Infections and clotting issues are two of the many things it may detect.

The D-dimer test checks for a protein produced by the body to help dissolve a clot. When the test comes back negative, the thrombus is not present (clot).

Doppler ultrasonography: this test visualizes blood flow in the clot's location using sound waves.

A pelvic MRI may be recommended if your doctor suspects that the blood clot is located in your pelvis, for example, after pregnancy. This painless imaging method produces high-quality pictures of the skeleton, muscles, and blood vessels without harming the patient.

If your doctor suspects you have a higher risk of blood clots, they may request further blood tests and Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement. 

Among the possible diagnostic procedures are:

• Measurements of antithrombin III may reveal whether or not your blood can clot too quickly.

• Issues associated with lupus, such as antiphospholipid antibodies or lupus anticoagulant, may unintentionally target other cells in the body.

• The prothrombin G20210A mutation and the Factor V Leiden mutation are only two examples of genetic variations that increase a person's risk of developing blood clots and may be detected by testing.

• Protein C and protein S concentrations, which play a role in clot formation and regulation