How to Diagnose Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis, also referred to as DVT, is a condition of the blood where a blood clot forms within the vein. Clots are able to form in the vein when the blood thickens and clumps together. Commonly, deep vein thrombosis is found in veins of the legs, but can also be found in other veins within the circulatory system. Complications from a deep vein thrombosis can occur when a piece of the blood clot breaks off and travels through the body. When this occurs, the clot is known as an embolus and can travel to lungs and other body organs, which can be life threatening when not diagnosed and treated. This is why it is important to have a potential deep vein thrombosis diagnosed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Symptoms Seek medical attention when deep vein thrombosis symptoms appear. The symptoms include: pain and tenderness in the leg, edema (swelling), the leg feels abnormally warm to touch and when redness or changes in the leg color appear.
2. Give an accurate medical history to the doctor. The doctor will ask about medications that are being taken since there are medications that increase the risk for deep vein thrombosis formation. They will need to know about any recent surgical procedures that were had, because the combination of anesthesia and surgery often go hand-in-hand with possible thrombosis. Have you injured the leg recently? Are there any other medical conditions or cancer treatment in the medical history? All this will help the doctor proper diagnose the condition.
3. Have a thorough physical examination. The doctor will examine the leg and look for the symptoms associated with deep vein thrombosis. They will also want to monitor the blood pressure and listen to the heart and lungs, because there might be abnormalities that can be picked up during examination that will be indicative of having a deep vein thrombosis.
4. Blood may be drawn to rule out or narrow down the actual diagnosis. These blood tests will monitor for conditions that reflect and increased clotting or hypercoagulability. The blood tests may include Antithrombin III, Prothrombin 20210a, DIC screenings, Lupus anticoagulant, Factor V Leiden and D-dimer blood test.
5. Radiological tests may be ordered. A simple X-ray may be done to show the veins in the legs and visually see the thrombosis. Another radiological test commonly ordered when a deep vein thrombosis is suspected it a Doppler Ultrasound, which will use sound waves to create a picture of how the blood is flowing through the arteries and veins in the extremity that is being examined. Also, a Plethysmography may be ordered to check for any changes in blood flow and air volume in the different parts of the body.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn how to prevent deep vein thrombosis. This can be done by not sitting or lying in one position for prolonged periods of time. For someone at high risk for deep vein thrombosis, the doctor may prescribe anticoagulant medication to help lessen and prevent the chance that they will form, especially if high risk person is to have a surgical procedure.
• Monitor older family members for injuries to their extremities. They often dismiss an accidental fall or bump of a leg as not being all that bad. The injury, however, may form a deep vein thrombosis that will need medical attention.
• A person that has a deep vein thrombosis should immediately call 911 if they have difficulty breathing, have chest pain, lose consciousness or faint. This could be a sign that the DVT has broken apart and is traveling.