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Deep venous thrombosis - Overview

Alternative Names

DVT; Blood clot in the legs; Thromboembolism

Definition of Deep venous thrombosis:

Deep venous thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside the body.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) mainly affects the large veins in the lower leg and thigh. The clot can block blood flow. If the clot breaks off and moves through the bloodstream, it can get stuck in the brain, lungs, heart, or other area, leading to severe damage.

Risks for DVT include:

Bedrest
Cigarette smoking
Fractures
Giving birth within the last 6 months
Medications such as estrogen and birth control pills
Obesity
Recent surgery (especially hip, knee, or female reproductive organ surgery)
Sitting for a long time, such as on a long plane or car trip

You're also more likely to develop DVT if you have any of the following conditions:

Blood that more likely to clot (hypercoagulability)
Cancer
Overproduction of red blood cells in bone marrow (polycythemia vera) or related conditions

DVTs are most common in adults over age 60, but can occur at any age.

Deep venous thrombosis, ileofemoral

Deep veins

Venous blood clot

Deep veins

Venous thrombosis - series

Reviewed last on: 1/27/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Brotman DJ, Jaffer AK. Prevention of venous thromboembolism in the geriatric patient.Cardiol Clin. 2008;26(2):221-34, vi.

Ginsburg J. Peripheral venous disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 81.

Snow V, Qaseem A, Barry P, et al. Management of venous thromboembolism: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(3):204-10. Epub 2007 Jan 29.

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