Have you been experiencing chronic leg pain after an operation? Or perhaps you noticed gradual redness and swelling in your lower limbs after prolonged immobility? You may be experiencing symptoms of deep venous thrombosis if post-trauma leg discomfort constantly hinders your daily activities.
Since this disease may cause life-threatening complications, it is important to seek an expert medical practitioner for available treatment options for DVT.
What is deep vein thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition wherein clot forms in a vessel in the lower extremities. This causes turbulent blood flow in the affected leg, which results to decreased oxygen supply to the surrounding cells. As more blood vessels are damaged, more tissues are unable to function due to less oxygen.
What are the long-term complications of DVT?
The most common complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism. Statistics show that embolism caused by clot formation has a 10 to 30% mortality rate. This occurs when the clot travels freely in the bloodstream before it occludes the narrow vessels that supply the lungs. The absence of blood entry for a few minutes results in significant lung damage, which triggers a cascade of events that deplete oxygen in multiple organ systems.
Although relatively uncommon, the thrombus may also lodge in the veins that supply the heart and brain. As a result, individuals with DVT have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease and stroke.
How is DVT managed?
Immediate detection is crucial in the effective management of venous thrombosis. Anticoagulation medications and blood thinners are initially prescribed to decrease the size of the clot. However, if recurrent pain occurs, balloon angioplasty and stent placement must be done to increase vessel diameter. Vena cava filters can also be placed to prevent clots from moving to other tissues in the body.
Venous thrombosis is a condition that requires abrupt detection and treatment due to its numerous complications. Thus, it is important to get help from notable doctors who can provide effective treatments for the condition.
