Blood/Circulatory System

In This Article What is sickle cell disease? What causes sickle cell disease? How is sickle cell disease detected? Symptoms of sickle cell disease How is sickle cell disease treated? What is the long-term outlook for people with sickle cell disease? Frequently asked questions Additional sources of information What is sickle cell disease? Sickle cell

Here are some frequently asked questions related to deep vein thrombosis. Q: Didn’t I read somewhere that poison extracted from certain snakes was being used in thrombolytic therapy? A: Although certain snake venoms have been studied for their blood-thinning properties, they are not useful in treating deep vein thrombosis. Q: Can DVT lead to amputation? A: Most

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which blood clots form in a vein deep within the body. The word thrombosis means forming a blood clot. The clot itself is called a thrombus. A blood clot is a jelly-like mass of congealed blood. Clotting is the normal way the body stops bleeding and begins healing following injury.

Veins are thin-walled blood vessels that carry blood from the body tissues back to the heart. In order to move the blood from the legs toward the heart, the leg muscles squeeze the deep veins, forcing the blood upward. Deep vein thrombosis is the result of three principal factors (described by Dr. Virchow in the

The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis is suspected on the basis of signs and symptoms alone. An examination may reveal a red, swollen, tender area of the leg, particularly the calf. A sharp pain when the foot is flexed upward sometimes suggests that the individual has DVT. Need To Know: The importance of correct diagnosis If a

Fortunately, most cases of deep vein thrombosis improve with treatment. However, DVT can result in serious complications. Pulmonary embolism Chronic venous insufficency Pulmonary Embolism The most serious complication of DVT occurs when a clot becomes dislodged from a vein, travels to the lung, and blocks or partially blocks the pulmonary artery leading from the heart

Treatment of DVT is aimed at: Easing symptoms Preventing worsening of the clot Preventing the clot from traveling to the lungs Treatment usually requires hospitalization, primarily to facilitate monitoring of medications. Because DVT occurs in post-surgical patients, however, the person might already be in the hospital when DVT is diagnosed. Deep vein thrombosis must be