Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a rare but serious condition in which a blood clot forms in one of the major veins of the body, usually the veins of the legs.
If untreated, DVT can result in part of the clot breaking off and traveling through the bloodstream to the heart and lungs, where it may cause life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism. It can also lead to chronic venous insufficiency if left untreated for a long period of time.
The symptoms of DVT are quite non-specific and often mistaken for something else. If you think you might be at risk, speaking with your doctor about pre-emptive screening is advised. Unfortunately, you can’t test for DVT at home (See our post how to check for dvt at home).
Even though blood clots are uncommon among healthy adults as well as people who have recently undergone surgery or been injured, many people do not know they have an elevated risk until they experience their first clotting event.
D-dimer test for DVT
A D-dimer blood test is a quick and inexpensive test to rule out a blood clot, especially with a low sensitivity for deep vein thrombosis. D-dimer testing is appropriate for patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis due to trauma, surgery, or with a high risk of cancer. D-dimer testing is not the best test to rule out deep vein thrombosis, but it is helpful in identifying those who do not have a clot.
Ultrasound for DVT
Ultrasound scanning is often used to diagnose deep vein thrombosis, especially in the lower leg. In the lower leg, a thrombus can be visualized as a hypoechoic area (a low-density area indicating a blood clot) within the veins. An iliac vein thrombosis in the upper leg can be visualized as an echoic mass within the veins.
Venogram for DVT
When a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis is suspected, a venogram may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to showing the presence of a thrombus, a venogram will provide information about the location of the obstruction as well as the direction of blood flow in the veins.
A venogram is performed by placing a catheter (a small, flexible tube) in a vein in the arm or the leg and then injecting a chalky substance called contrast into the vein. X-rays are then taken. When the procedure is completed, the catheter is removed. Venograms are used for both diagnosing and treating deep vein thrombosis. A CT venogram may be used as an alternative to a venogram if a patient is unable to undergo venography.
MRI and CT Scans for DVT
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans are very good at diagnosing deep vein thrombosis, and they are often used in the hospital setting when a thrombus is suspected. Both MRI and CT scans may be used to detect deep vein thrombosis in the lower leg; MRI is more sensitive than CT scanning.
Lung Ventilation-Perfusion Scans; Pulmonary Angiography for DVT
A pulmonary venous sampling (VQ scanning) is an alternative test to pulmonary angiography for DVT. It is used when there is a high suspicion of pulmonary embolism and the results from D-dimer testing are negative. A pulmonary venous sampling is a procedure in which a small amount of blood is withdrawn from a pulmonary vein and then analyzed for the presence of clots.
Impedance Plethysmography for DVT
Impedance plethysmography is a non-invasive method that uses the variations in blood flow through the veins to estimate the pressure inside the veins. By measuring the pressure in the veins, IP can detect venous hypertension, which indicates the presence of a blood clot. IP is not used as a routine diagnostic test, but it may be used in a hospital setting to evaluate a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis who has a negative D-dimer test. IP is often used to monitor the progress of treatment.
Ruling out other possible causes of symptoms
- If you have new swelling, redness and/or pain in one or both legs, you should talk to your doctor to rule out deep vein thrombosis.
- If you are immobile due to a recent surgery or if you have a known risk factor for deep vein thrombosis, you should ask your doctor about a diagnosis.
- If you have a family history of clotting disorders, you should ask your doctor about a diagnosis.
- If you have symptoms of pulmonary embolism, you should talk to your doctor. These include shortness of breath (especially when you are resting), chest pain, and coughing up blood.
San Diego Vein Specialists
If you are concerned about your vein health, it’s worth seeing a leg vein specialist for a consultation.
If you suffer from varicose veins or spider veins, we typically will recommend considering having a procedure done to cure the problem altogether by getting rid of the veins. If you are considering such a procedure, contact Kafri Wellness Clinic to schedule an evaluation and get more information.
At Kafri Wellness Clinic, we have over 25+ years of experience working with patients to address vein issues. We also take into consideration a cardiovascular approach to your treatment to give you as much insight into your health as possible.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation to learn how we can help you, please contact us today!
