WHAT IS DVT?
In whom are they common?
They are common in people who had recent history of fever or bedridden state. It is very common after major hip, pelvic, lower limb surgeries. Cancer patients are more prone to Deep vein thrombosis. People who are otherwise active but undergo dehydration can have sudden DVT.
HOW DOES DVT PRESENT?
They may present with sudden onset leg swelling with redness and fever. Pain usually accompanies swelling .
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM CELLULITIS?
Cellulitis is skin and soft tissue infection and can be treated by antibiotics. DVT is clot in major veins and needs to be treated by blood thinners.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE A DVT?
Doppler test is the best modality to diagnose DVT
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF DVT?
Major DVT s can cause life threatening Pulmonary embolism where a major chunk of the clot can break through and reach the lung vessels and choke them and the patient will stop breathing and collapse and may succumb to death immediately.
The clot in the leg can damage the veins permanently leading to black pigmented swollen legs with recurrent ulcers disfiguring the ankle and feet.
HOW DO YOU TREAT DVT?
An Acute DVT patient should be diagnosed early and treated with blood thinners promptly. In selected patients it is possible to melt or suck the clot using thrombolytic drugs and thrombosuction devices.
CAN PULMONARY EMBOLISM OR DVT BE PREVENTED?
Good hydration, Regular exercise, Abstaining smoking, Seeking preventive care if bedridden or undergoing surgery like using prophylactic medications or stockings can prevent DVT largely.
In a patient with DVT a filter in the main vein of the body can prevent clot to break off and reach lungs thereby preventing life threatening Pulmonary embolism.
