Deep Vein Thrombosis
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or venous thrombosis is a serious condition in which a blood clot is formed in a vein that is located deep inside the body. A blood clot is a mass or clump of blood that has turned to a solid-state. The blood clot may block the blood flow through the vein either partially or completely. Most cases of deep vein thrombosis occur in the lower leg, pelvis, or thigh region. It can however occur in the other parts of the body as well including the brain, arm, liver, intestines, or kidney. In this article, we will be discussing in detail about deep vein thrombosis treatment.
- What are the causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- What are the risk factors of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- What are the symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- How to diagnose Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- What is the treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- What are the complications of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- How to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- What is the cost of Deep Vein Thrombosis treatment in India?
What are the causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis is caused by the formation of a blood clot. The blood clot causes the blockage of the vein and prevents blood from circulating properly in the body. Blood clotting may occur due to the following reasons:
- Injury
- Surgery
- Inactivity or reduced mobility
- Certain medications
What are the risk factors of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
The following factors can increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis:
- Age over 60 years
- Sitting for prolonged periods of time, such as when flying or driving
- Prolonged period of bed rest
- Paralysis
- Injury
- Surgery
- Pregnancy
- Using birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Cancer
- Heart failure ( Know more about- What is Heart Bypass Surgery? Purpose, Procedure, Risks, Cost )
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Family history
- Genetics
What are the symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis usually forms in one leg or one arm. The various symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are:
- Pain or soreness in the leg
- Cramping in the leg
- Swelling in the affected leg. Rarely, swelling is seen in both the legs
- Discoloration or redness of the skin on the leg
- Feeling of warmth in the affected leg
How to diagnose Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- Physical examination: The doctor will physically examine the patient. The patient is asked about his/her symptoms. The doctor will check the areas of tenderness, swelling, or any changes in the skin color.
- D-dimer blood test: D-dimer is a kind of protein that is produced by blood clots. In most cases of DVT, the D-dimer levels in the blood are increased.
- Duplex ultrasound: This is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of how the blood flows through the veins. It is the standard test done for the diagnosis of DVT.
- Venography: A dye is injected into a large vein in the foot or the ankle. An x-ray creates clear images of the veins in the feet and legs, to look for the presence of blood clots. Since this is an invasive test, it is rarely performed.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: This is an imaging test done to obtain clear images of the veins in the internal organs of the body. It is used for the diagnosis of DVT in the abdominal (stomach) veins.
What is the treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis?
The goals of deep vein thrombosis are:
- Preventing the blood clot from getting bigger ( Know more about- What is Cardiac Arrest? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention )
- Preventing the clot from breaking loose and going to the lungs
- Reducing the chances of another DVT
The various treatment options for deep vein thrombosis include:
- Blood-thinning medications:
- The most common form of treatment for DVT includes the use of blood-thinning medications or anticoagulants.
- These medicines prevent the blood clots from getting bigger and reduce the chances of developing more blood clots.
- Blood-thinning medications can be given orally, or by injecting the medicine inside the vein (intravenously or through IV), or injecting under the skin.
- Examples of blood-thinners given through IV include heparin, blood-thinners given orally include warfarin and dabigatran, and injectable blood thinners include enoxaparin and fondaparinux.
- These medicines need to be taken for three months or longer.
- Clot Busters:
- Clot busters or thrombolytics are drugs that may be prescribed if the other medications are not working.
- These drugs are either given intravenously (through IV) or through a tube or catheter that is placed directly into the clot.
- They are used only in people with severe blood clots.
- Filters:
- A filter may be inserted into a large vein, known as the vena cava, into the abdomen (stomach).
- A vena cava filter prevents the blood clots from breaking loose and lodging into the lungs.
- Compression stockings:
- These are special knee socks that may reduce the chances of blood pooling and clotting.
- They are worn on the legs from the feet to above the knee level.
- These stockings should be worn during the day for at least two years.
- Surgery:
- The doctor may suggest surgery for the removal of the DVT clot in the arm or leg. This is known as surgical thrombectomy.
- This is usually recommended in the case of clots that cause serious tissue damage, or in the case of very large blood clots.
- The surgeon makes an incision into the blood vessel. The blood clot is then located and removed. The blood vessel and tissue is then removed.
- Mechanical thrombectomy:
- It is a new technique that is used by surgeons to treat blood clots.
- A catheter is inserted toward the area where the blood clot is present.
- A clot-removing device like a pump, a retrieval stent, or an aspiration catheter is directed through the catheter.
- The clot is then removed and the blood flow is reestablished.
- This is a safe and effective treatment procedure, with a reduced risk of recurrence.
What are the complications of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
The complications of deep vein thrombosis include:
- Pulmonary embolism: It is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the blood vessel in the lung becomes blocked by a blood clot or thrombus. The thrombus travels to the lungs from another part of the body, usually through the leg.
- Postphlebitic syndrome: Damage to the veins due to the blood clot will lead to the reduction of blood flow in the affected areas. This causes leg swelling and pain, skin sores, and skin discoloration.
- Complications due to DVT treatment: The use of blood thinners to treat DVT may lead to bleeding (hemorrhage). The complications associated with surgery could include bleeding, increased risk of infection, and damage to the blood vessel.
How to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis can be prevented by the following means:
- Quit smoking
- Avoid sitting still
- Move around more
- Keep your affected leg or arm in an elevated position
- Wear compression stockings
- Maintain your weight ( Know more about- What is Diet for Heart Patients? )
- Exercise regularly
What is the cost of Deep Vein Thrombosis treatment in India?
The total cost of deep vein thrombosis treatment in India can range from around INR 3000 to INR 3,00,000. However, the cost of the procedure may vary across different hospitals. There are many big hospitals and specialized doctors in India for deep vein thrombosis treatment. The cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the expenses of deep vein thrombosis treatment, there will be a cost of staying in a hotel, cost of living, and cost of local travel. So, the total cost of deep vein thrombosis treatment in India will be around INR 6,000 to INR 4,00,000.
We hope that we were able to answer all your questions regarding Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment through this article.
If you want more information and treatment for deep vein thrombosis, you can contact the Vascular surgeon.
We only aim to give you information through the article and do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
