Vein Care - Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis, commonly referred to as DVT, is a disease of the
circulation. It occurs most often in people who have not been able to exercise normally.

Blood passing through the deepest veins in the calf or thigh flows relatively slowly: when a DVT occurs it moves so slowly that it forms a solid clot which becomes wedged in the vein.

Symptoms:

• Pain or tenderness in the leg
• Raised skin temperature around the area
• Sudden swelling in one leg

Quite often there are no symptoms at all. Where they do exist there may be pain or tenderness in the leg and raised skin temperature around the area. Sudden swelling in one leg may be the first sign.

DVTs are most commonly detected nowadays by use of ultrasound.

How dangerous is it?
DVTs themselves are not life-threatening but they are associated with
complications which can be fatal.

The most common serious complication is a pulmonary embolism which occurs in between one in three and one in four cases of DVT. A piece of the clot lodged in the leg vein breaks off and travels through the body to the lung, where it becomes lodged again causing severe breathing difficulties.

More rarely, a part of the clot may also lodge in other organs including the brain, where it leads to a stroke.

One less serious complication is post-thrombotic syndrome, which affects many people after a DVT, due to damage to the valves along the length of the vein. It can cause pain and swelling and ulceration of the skin around the area.

How is DVT treated?
The main treatment for DVT - or similar problems with clotting of the blood - is medicines which will thin the blood and allow it to flow more easily.

Patients will be encouraged to move around as much as they can. Compression stockings are often worn to cover the length of the whole leg to give support to the veins and reduce swelling.

A number of conditions increase the likelihood of developing a DVT

• cancer
• obesity
• varicose veins
• family history of DVT
• paralyisis or immobility
• pregnancy
• contraceptive pill,HRT
• long distance travel
  
  To find out about the dangers of DVT for office workers, read the NZ Herald article that was published in March 2007. Click here for more info.

DVT Ultrasound Treatment Costs:

For more information, see our vein care frequently asked questions page or contact us. Make an appointment by contacting us on 0800 085 555, email info@veinandlaser.co.nz or fill in our online form.

Southern Cross - www.southerncross.co.nz