Deep Vein Thrombosis - Health Conditions - Conditions & Treatments

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the term used to describe blood clots (also called thrombi) that form in the veins, usually in the lower legs. These clots can grow in size and interfere with blood flow in the legs; and sometimes the clots break loose and travel to the lungs, brain, heart, or other areas of the body. When the clots lodge in other organs or tissues, they can block blood flow, and cause serious damage to these organs. As many as 50% of patients with DVT experience damage to their lungs caused by a clot. This condition is commonly known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).

What are the symptoms?

While it is common to not experience any symptoms at all, some people may experience any of the following symptoms of a DVT:

* Leg pain, usually in only one leg
* Leg tenderness, usually in only one leg
* Swelling (edema), usually in only one leg
* Increased warmth, usually in only one leg
* Changes in skin color (red or bluish), usually in only one leg
* Joint pain
* Sharp pain when the foot is bent upward

Laboratory tests:

The following lab tests are commonly performed to help diagnose a DVT:

* Ultrasound (used to detect DVT)
* Chest X-ray (used to detect clots in lungs)
* Antiphospholipid antibodies (indicators in the blood that a person has an increased risk of DVT)
* Venography (the most accurate test for detecting a clot in the leg)"