Deep Venous Thrombosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the body. The deep veins in the legs, thighs, and hips are the most common sites for DVT. Having certain conditions such as infections, cancer, obesity, or heart failure puts you at risk for DVT. Taking medicines that contain estrogen (hormone) or being pregnant may also cause clots to form. Having a major surgery or injury may also lead to this condition. Increasing age over 50, being inactive for a long time, and smoking are other risk factors for DVT. With DVT, you can get a very bad condition called pulmonary embolism. This is when part of the clot breaks off and travels to block blood flow to the lungs.
  
  
• DVT may cause swelling, redness, and pain or tenderness in your hips, thighs, or legs. Your caregiver may use ultrasound and blood tests to learn more about your condition. You may need treatment if you have DVT, or preventive treatment if you are at risk for it. Treatment includes medicines to keep new clots from forming and stop the clots you have from getting bigger. You may need emergency medicine to break apart clots blocking blood to a vital organ. Compression stockings, pneumatic boots, or vena cava filters may also be used to treat or prevent DVT. Finding and treating DVT as soon as possible may relieve your symptoms and prevent heart or lung problems.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Treatment or prevention of DVT can have risks. Using vena cava filters may lead to having more blood clots form. Medicines may cause growth problems in babies when used by pregnant mothers. The medicines may also cause bleeding that can become serious and life-threatening. Even with treatment, you may still get a pulmonary embolism.
  
  
• If DVT is not treated, increased pressure or decreased blood flow can injure tissues near the clot. This may damage valves in the deep vein such as in your leg. You may get long term pain and swelling in your leg. A blood clot can break loose and travel to your lungs or brain. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. A blood clot in your brain can cause a stroke. These problems can be life-threatening. Talk to your caregiver about your medicines and the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Warfarin: Warfarin is a type of medicine that helps prevent clots from forming in the blood. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Using warfarin may cause you to bleed or bruise more easily. If you are taking warfarin:
  
  
  • Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Doing this can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
    
    
  • Many medicines cannot be used when taking warfarin. Talk to your caregiver about all of the other medicines that you use. Tell your dentist and other caregivers that you take warfarin. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you are taking this medicine.
    
    
  • You will need to have regular blood tests while taking warfarin. Your caregiver uses these tests to decide how much medicine is right for you to take. Take warfarin exactly how your caregiver tells you to. Tell your caregiver right away if you forget to take the medicine, or if you take too much.
    
    
  • Talk to your caregiver about your diet. Warfarin works best when you eat about the same amount of Vitamin K every day. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables and certain other foods.
  
  
• Blood thinners: This medicine helps stop clots from forming in the blood.
  
  
• Clot busters: This medicine helps break apart clots. It is given IV and may be given at the same time as other blood thinners. This medicine could save your life because blood clots in the heart, lungs or brain can kill you. Be careful because you may bleed or bruise easily.
  
  
• Medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever: These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease or a history of bleeding in your stomach.

Tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Compression ultrasound: This is a test that uses sound waves to see your veins on a TV-like screen. Caregivers look for clots in the veins near the area of your pain and redness.
  
  
• Contrast venography: This is a special x-ray of a vein after a dye has been put in. The dye makes the vein easier to see on the x-ray. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any of these.

Treatment options:

• Compression stockings: Your caregiver may order compression stockings for you to wear. These are tight elastic stockings that put pressure on your legs. The pressure is highest near the toe and decreases as it goes towards the thighs. Wearing pressure stockings help push blood back up to the heart and keeps clots from forming. Ask your caregiver for more information on using compression stockings.
  
  
• Pneumatic boots: Inflatable boots are put on your legs. The boots are connected to an air pump. The pump tightens and loosens different areas of the boots. This helps improve blood flow to prevent clots.
  
  
• Inferior vena cava filter: This is a filter that is surgically placed inside the large vein bringing blood to your heart from your lower body. It is used when you cannot be treated with blood thinners. The filter traps clots in your blood to prevent you from getting a pulmonary embolus. Ask your caregiver for more information about inferior vena cava filters.

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Preventing blood clots:

You may need to take medicine to thin your blood. Blood thinning medicine helps prevent blood clots from forming in your veins. This medicine makes it easier for a person to bruise and bleed. You will need regular blood tests while taking this medicine. If you have a bleeding disorder or a history of bleeding or blood clots, tell your caregiver. Talk to your caregiver about all of the medicines that you use. Physical activity helps prevent blood clots. Caregivers will help you be as active as possible.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Deep Venous Thrombosis (Inpatient Care)