1. Deep Vein Thrombosis Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Blood Disorders Quiz
3. Spider & Varicose Veins Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• Introduction to deep vein thrombosis
• What are the causes of deep vein thrombosis?
• What are the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis?
• When should I seek medical care for deep vein thrombosis?
• How is deep vein thrombosis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for deep vein thrombosis?
• What are the complications of deep vein thrombosis?
• Can deep vein thrombosis be prevented?
• Deep Vein Thrombosis - Slideshow
• Take the Blood Disorders Quiz!
• Spider & Varicose Veins - Slideshow
• Patient Comments: Deep Vein Thrombosis - Diagnosis
• Patient Comments: Deep Vein Thrombosis - Symptoms
• Find a local Cardiologist in your town
• Deep Vein Thrombosis Index

Superficial Thrombophlebitis

Treatment for superficial blood clots is symptomatic with:

• warm compresses,
  
  
• leg compression, and
  
  
• an anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.

If the thrombophlebitis occurs near the groin where the superficial and deep systems join together, there is potential that the thrombus could extend into the deep venous system. These patients may require anticoagulation or blood thinning therapy (see below).

Deep venous thromboses

Deep venous thromboses that occur below the knee tend not to embolize (break loose). They may be observed with serial ultrasounds to make certain they are not extending above the knee. At the same time, the cause of the deep vein thrombosis may need to be addressed.

The treatment for deep venous thrombosis above the knee is anticoagulation, unless a contraindication exists. Contraindications include recent major surgery (since anticoagulation would thin all the blood in the body, not just that in the leg, leading to significant bleeding issues), or abnormal reactions when previously exposed to blood thinner medications.

Anticoagulation prevents further growth of the blood clot and prevents it from forming an embolus that can travel to the lung.

Anticoagulation is a two step process. Warfarin (Coumadin) is the drug of choice for anti-coagulation. It is begun immediately, but unfortunately it may take a week or more for the blood to be appropriately thinned. Therefore, low molecular weight heparin [enoxaparin (Lovenox)] is administered at the same time. It thins the blood via a different mechanism and is used as a bridge therapy until the warfarin has reached its therapeutic level. Enoxaparin injections can be given on an outpatient basis.

For those patients who have contraindications to the use of enoxaparin (for example, kidney failure does not allow the drug to be metabolized), intravenous heparin can be used as the first step. This requires admission to the hospital.

The dosage of warfarin is monitored by blood tests measuring the prothrombin time or INR (international normalized ratio). For an uncomplicated deep vein thrombosis, the recommended length of therapy with warfarin is three to six months.

Some patients may have contraindications for warfarin therapy, for example a patient with bleeding in the brain, major trauma, or recent significant surgery. An alternative may be to place a filter in the inferior vena cava (the major vein that collects blood from both legs) to prevent emboli from reaching the heart and lungs. These filters may be effective but also may be the source of new clot formation.

Surgery

Surgery is a rare option in treating large deep venous thrombosis of the leg in patients who cannot take blood thinners or who have developed recurrent blood clots while on anti-coagulant medications. The surgery is usually accompanied by placing an IVC (inferior vena cava) filter to prevent future clots from embolizing to the lung.

Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens describes a situation in which a blood clot forms in the iliac vein of the pelvis and the femoral vein of the leg, obstructing almost all blood return and compromising blood supply to the leg. In this case surgery may be considered to remove the clot, but the patient will also require anti-coagulant medications.