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Deep venous thrombosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

DVT; Blood clot in the legs

Treatment:

DVT treatment helps prevent a pulmonary embolus from forming and helps prevent another DVT.

For years, the standard treatment has been a medication called heparin to stop blood clots from forming (anticoagulant). Heparin is given through the vein. It results in quick anticoagulation and it treats the clot. A person with DVT also may get an oral medication called warfarin with the heparin.

Warfarin usually takes several days to fully work. Heparin is continued until the warfarin has been fully effective for at least 24 hours. People will take warfarin for about 6 months. Usually warfarin is started after heparin.

Because heparin is given continuously through a vein (IV), it requires a hospital stay. However, newer forms of heparin known as low molecular-weight heparin (usually a drug called enoxaparin) can sometimes be used. This heparin can be given by injection once or twice a day to shorten or avoid the need for a hospital stay.

Warfarin causes an increase in the time it takes blood to clot, known as prothrombin time (PT). A system called the International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used to report the ability of the blood to clot properly. Doctors will adjust warfarin to keep the INR between 2 and 3.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most DVT's disappear without a problem, but they can recur. Some people may have chronic pain and swelling in the leg, known as post phlebitic syndrome. Pulmonary embolus is uncommon when DVT's are treated properly, but it can occur and can be life threatening.

Complications:

• Pulmonary embolus
• Post-phlebitic syndrome

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have DVT-like symptoms.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have DVT and you develop chest pain , difficulty breathing , fainting , loss of consciousness , or other severe symptoms.

• Review Date: 4/27/2007
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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