Deep Vein Thrombosis

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition resulting from the formation of a blood clot inside a deep vein, commonly the calf or thigh. DVT occurs when the blood clot either partially or completely blocks the flow of blood in the vein

Who is at Risk for DVT?

Anyone could potentially develop a DVT. The likelihood of developing DVT increases with age, and DVT occurs most commonly over the age of 60. However, there are certain risk factors that increase the chance that any person will develop a DVT. These include:

Smoking
Obesity- Body Mass Index over 30
Immobility
Hospitalization
Surgery or trauma
Pregnancy
Hormone based contraceptives
Some chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease or congestive heart failure)
Air travel (long-distance)
Hereditary thrombophilias (such as deficiencies of protein C, protein S, or antithrombin; factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutation)
Some acquired blood conditions (such as antiphospholipid antibodies or elevated levels of homocysteine)


Acute DVT Right Leg	Acute DVT Left Leg	Acute DVT Left Leg, Post Thrombotic Syndrome Right Leg

Practical Steps to Minimize Risk

Try to maintain ideal body weight for your height and gender
Stay active and try to get regular exercise.
Avoid prolonged periods of immobility. For example, on a long car trip, stop and walk around every few hours. On an airplane, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, walk the aisles, do calf raises and toe squeezes and avoid alcohol. Wearing elastic stockings with a moderate level of compression (15 to 20 mm Hg) may prevent DVT from developing on long flights.
Don’t smoke.
If you have other chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or congestive heart failure, work with your doctors to try to keep these problems under good control.
Talk to your doctors about the risk of thrombosis and the use of blood thinners or compression stockings for prevention of blood clots if you are pregnant, use birth control pills, are hospitalized or have surgery. This is especially important if you have a hereditary thrombophilia.

Reference: Ornstein DL, Cushman M. 2003 Factor V Leiden. Circulation. 107:e94-e97

CDC DVT Fact Sheet

View the CDC Page on thrombosis here: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Thrombosis/

Other NATT Articles and Resources on Deep Vein Thrombosis

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Article Revised June, 1 2009