Deep Vein Thrombosis — What is it and How is it Treated?

Deep vein thrombosis — or DVT — has been in the news quite a bit recently, as a reported (and rare) side-effect of the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine. While individuals have a right to be concerned, there is, fortunately, a wide range of options available to treat this condition.

If you have a family history of blood clotting or your lifestyle means that you are predisposed to developing clots, it’s a good idea to be aware of the signs and symptoms of DVT, as well as the type of DVT treatment options that are available.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Explained

To start with, what exactly is deep vein thrombosis? DVT occurs when a clot forms in a patient’s leg. A clot is a gel-like collection of blood that occurs in veins and arteries. Clotting is a natural function of the body that prevents you from losing too much blood when you are injured. However, a clot that forms where it is not needed is known as a thrombus. The presence of a thrombus can be dangerous, particularly if it moves from the legs to the respiratory system

Deep vein thrombosis, as the name suggests, is a form of clotting that occurs in the deep veins of your legs. While there are signs and symptoms to look out for, often DVT is a silent condition, which is why it’s so important to understand if you are at particular risk. 

Known risk factors of DVT include age, having a sedentary occupation, injury, pregnancy, obesity, smoking, and genetics.

DVT Treatment Options

DVT treatment has evolved considerably over the past few decades. While taking medication was once your only option, there is now a range of different treatments, which are minimally invasive and have a reduced recovery time.

Keep in mind that not all of these treatment options will be suitable for all patients. A trained, experienced vascular surgeon will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that is right for your age, situation, and any pre-existing health conditions you may have.

Popular and effective DVT treatment options include:

● Blood Thinning Medication: Used to reduce the risk of a clot growing in size.

● ‘Clot Busting’ Medication: A substance is sprayed directly into the affected vein via a catheter. Following this, the clot can be removed from the vein.

Who to speak with regarding DVT

If you are experiencing symptoms of DVT — including swelling in one leg, pain in the leg, discoloured skin, and a feeling of warmth — you should immediately contact a healthcare professional, particularly if you are at-risk for developing deep vein thrombosis.

A doctor may refer you to a vascular surgeon, who will be able to make an informed diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

It’s important that you act quickly. Not only can DVT clots move through the bloodstream to the lungs, they can also induce a condition known as ‘post-thrombotic syndrome’. This debilitating chronic disease is particularly difficult to manage.

While deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition, the good news is that DVT treatment is readily available. If you notice symptoms of DVT or are concerned about your lifestyle and risk factors, contact a vascular surgeon today.