Common Facts of Venous Thromboembolism

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE):

Venous Thromboembolism is a blood clot forms within a vein.

This is one of the leading vascular diagnoses after Heart attack and stroke. There are two major types of Venous Thromboembolism.

Types include;

- Deep vein thromboembolism

- Pulmonary embolism

Deep vein thromboembolism (DVT):

It refers to a clot in deep vein in legs. DVT sometimes affects arms and other veins as well.

Pulmonary embolism (PE):

Pulmonary embolism occurs when the deep vein thrombosis breaks down and circulates to lungs and forms blockade of blood supply.

Usually blood clots originate in the thigh will breakdown and circulate to the lungs than blood clots in lower limbs and other body parts.

Risk factors of venous thromboembolism:

The most common causes that triggers pulmonary embolism are,

- Surgery

- Cancer

- Immobilization

- Hospitalization

- Pregnancy

- Hormonal use in Women

­- Lower-extremity paralysis

- Fracture in pelvis, hip or long bones

- Multiple traumas

Symptoms:

DVT mainly affects large veins in the lower legs and thigh. The clot usually blocks blood flow and causes.

- Leg pain

- Tenderness of the thigh

- Leg edema

- Warmness of Skin

- Reddish discoloration

PE can be fatal and occurs during the breakdown of DVT from vein and blocks blood supply to the lungs causing any of the following symptoms.

- Shortness of breath

- Rapid breathing

- Chest pain anywhere under the rib cage

- Fast heart rate

- Light headedness or passing out

Diagnosis:

- A test called D-dimer will be performed, which detects clotting activity.

- For diagnosis of DVT, ultrasound of the leg is most often performed.

- For diagnosis of PE test like, Computed tomography, CT scan, CAT scan is most often performed. Rarely ventilation-perfusion lung scan is used. Both tests are able to identify intravenous dyes in the arteries of the lung, looking for blockages by clots.

VTE and Pregnancy:

Women with pregnancy or post pregnancy are at higher risk of developing blood clots. This risk is greater in the presence of the following other factors:

- Previous VTE

- A genetic predisposition to VTE

- A family history of VTE

- Obesity

- Immobilization

- Twin gestation

- Older maternal age

- Other medical illness during pregnancy

Treatment:

Treatment usually includes;

Anticoagulants

Mechanical devices

Thrombolytic therapy

Surgical procedures