Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling but also can occur with no symptoms.
Deep vein thrombosis can develop if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots. It can also happen if you don't move for a long time, such as after surgery or an accident, or when you're confined to bed.
Symptoms
- Swelling in the affected leg, including swelling in your ankle and foot
- Pain in your leg — the pain often starts in your calf and can feel like cramping or soreness
- Red or discolored skin on the leg
- A feeling of warmth in the affected leg
Complications
A serious complication of deep vein thrombosis is pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot that has broken loose gets lodged in a lung artery. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, rapid pulse, and coughing up blood.
Treatment
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- Clot busters (thrombolytics)
- Filters placed in the large abdominal vein (vena cava)
- Compression stockings
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