Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a blood clot that forms in the veins. VTE is a serious condition that can be fatal, which is why it’s important to know the risk factors, symptoms and what action to take.
Types Of Venous Thromboembolism
The type of VTE that a patient has depends on whether it is stationary or on the move.
The first type is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a blood clot in a deep vein. It usually occurs in the lower leg, thigh or pelvis. However, it can also form in the deep veins of the arm.
The second type of VTE is a pulmonary embolism (PE), which occurs when part of a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. This can block blood supply to the lungs, and it is life-threatening.
Blood clots in the vein do not cause stroke or heart attack. Those are caused by blood clots in an artery of the heart or brain.
Risk Factors And Causes Of Venous Thromboembolism
There is a number of reasons why blood clots form and often more than one risk factor present in patients who develop VTE. The people at the greatest risk are those who have had a major surgery or trauma, have cancer, or are immobilized. Blood clots often form at surgery sites. Being confined to a bed causes blood to slow, which is why patients in hospitals should be vigilant about VTE symptoms.
The main risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism include:
- Vein injury from trauma, surgery or catheterization
- Surgery
- Infection
- Hospitalization or immobilization (including travel)
- Cancer
- Leg or pelvic bone fractures
- Paraplegia
- Chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and diabetes
Other health factors that can increase a person’s risk for blood clots include:
- Age
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Family history or prior history of VTE
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Blood-clotting conditions
- Oral contraceptive use or hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy
Symptoms Of Venous Thromboembolism
Knowing the symptoms of VTE is important for everyone, but it’s especially necessary if you are at a higher risk of developing VTE.
Deep vein thrombosis symptoms include swelling, redness, warmth, and pain or tenderness in the affected area (usually leg or arm).
Pulmonary embolism symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- Irregular or rapid heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating or clammy skin
Anyone with these symptoms must seek immediate medical help.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of VTE
Deep vein thrombosis can be diagnosed through blood tests, vascular ultrasound, magnetic resonance venography or contrast venography. Tests to diagnose pulmonary embolism include a CT scan, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry or pulmonary angiogram.
With deep vein thrombosis, the usual treatment is anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) and compression stockings. Surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the blood clot in some cases.
Anticoagulant drugs are also the main treatment for pulmonary embolism. These drugs stop the blood clot from getting larger, allowing your body to absorb it. They may also be prescribed to prevent further blood clots.
In life-threatening instances of pulmonary embolism, thrombolytics may be used to dissolve the clot. A catheter-based surgical procedure (embolectomy) may be necessary to remove the clot.
How To Prevent VTE
The main advice for preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is to avoid being sedentary.
- Get up and walk around as soon as possible if you have been confined to a bed. When you are traveling or sitting for long periods, make sure you get up every one to two hours.
- You can also exercise your legs while confined to a bed or seat to help keep blood circulating until you are able to get up and move around.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Stay hydrated and active.
- Compression stockings or medication to prevent DVT may be necessary for those at high risk of DVT.
The team at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists consists of North Louisiana’s leading experts in cardiovascular care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (318) 798-9400.
Venous Thromboembolism: What To Know
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a blood clot that forms in the veins. VTE is a serious condition that can be fatal, which is why it’s important to know the risk factors, symptoms and what action to take.
Types Of Venous Thromboembolism
The type of VTE that a patient has depends on whether it is stationary or on the move.
The first type is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a blood clot in a deep vein. It usually occurs in the lower leg, thigh or pelvis. However, it can also form in the deep veins of the arm.
The second type of VTE is a pulmonary embolism (PE), which occurs when part of a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. This can block blood supply to the lungs, and it is life-threatening.
Blood clots in the vein do not cause stroke or heart attack. Those are caused by blood clots in an artery of the heart or brain.
Risk Factors And Causes Of Venous Thromboembolism
There is a number of reasons why blood clots form and often more than one risk factor present in patients who develop VTE. The people at the greatest risk are those who have had a major surgery or trauma, have cancer, or are immobilized. Blood clots often form at surgery sites. Being confined to a bed causes blood to slow, which is why patients in hospitals should be vigilant about VTE symptoms.
The main risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism include:
- Vein injury from trauma, surgery or catheterization
- Surgery
- Infection
- Hospitalization or immobilization (including travel)
- Cancer
- Leg or pelvic bone fractures
- Paraplegia
- Chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and diabetes
Other health factors that can increase a person’s risk for blood clots include:
- Age
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Family history or prior history of VTE
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Blood-clotting conditions
- Oral contraceptive use or hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy
Symptoms Of Venous Thromboembolism
Knowing the symptoms of VTE is important for everyone, but it’s especially necessary if you are at a higher risk of developing VTE.
Deep vein thrombosis symptoms include swelling, redness, warmth, and pain or tenderness in the affected area (usually leg or arm).
Pulmonary embolism symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- Irregular or rapid heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating or clammy skin
Anyone with these symptoms must seek immediate medical help.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of VTE
Deep vein thrombosis can be diagnosed through blood tests, vascular ultrasound, magnetic resonance venography or contrast venography. Tests to diagnose pulmonary embolism include a CT scan, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry or pulmonary angiogram.
With deep vein thrombosis, the usual treatment is anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) and compression stockings. Surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the blood clot in some cases.
Anticoagulant drugs are also the main treatment for pulmonary embolism. These drugs stop the blood clot from getting larger, allowing your body to absorb it. They may also be prescribed to prevent further blood clots.
In life-threatening instances of pulmonary embolism, thrombolytics may be used to dissolve the clot. A catheter-based surgical procedure (embolectomy) may be necessary to remove the clot.
How To Prevent VTE
The main advice for preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is to avoid being sedentary.
- Get up and walk around as soon as possible if you have been confined to a bed. When you are traveling or sitting for long periods, make sure you get up every one to two hours.
- You can also exercise your legs while confined to a bed or seat to help keep blood circulating until you are able to get up and move around.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Stay hydrated and active.
- Compression stockings or medication to prevent DVT may be necessary for those at high risk of DVT.
The team at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists consists of North Louisiana’s leading experts in cardiovascular care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (318) 798-9400.