What is deep vein thrombosis? Causes, warning symptoms

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Pham Van Hung - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International Hospital
Deep vein thrombosis is one of the common problems today with a high mortality rate. The most dangerous complication of DVT is a pulmonary embolism (pulmonary embolism) which is the leading cause of death in people with DVT. Deep vein thrombosis is most common in the deep veins of the legs.

1. What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

The venous system is responsible for carrying blood after exchanging oxygen from the organs to the heart. There are 3 types of veins including superficial veins, deep veins, and perforating veins that bring blood from the superficial veins to the deep veins. Veins have one-way valves that allow blood to move in a certain direction. Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a vein, venous thrombosis can occur in any vein in the body, but is most common in the lower extremities.

2. Causes and predisposing factors for deep vein thrombosis

When venous thrombosis is formed, there are 3 main factors that cause it, including circulatory stagnation, increased coagulation, and damage to the venous endothelium. All causes lead to the above 3 factors cause deep vein thrombosis.
2.1 Causes of deep vein thrombosis Surgery: orthopedics due to fractures, thoracic, abdominal surgery... Malignancy: pancreatic, lung, ovarian, testicular, urinary, breast cancer , stomach... Malignancy is accompanied by an increase in hypercoagulability. Traumatic femur fractures, vertebral fractures... Prolonged immobilization forms blood clots due to circulatory stagnation Coagulation disorders increase innate coagulation. Have venous insufficiency.

2.2 Risk factors Pregnancy: due to obstruction of blood flow to the heart, causing circulatory stagnation, hypercoagulability. Estrogen replacement therapy or prolonged use of oral contraceptives are common causes in young women with venous thrombosis. Obesity, a history of myocardial infarction, stroke, or congestive heart failure are at increased risk risk of venous thromboembolism. History of deep vein thrombosis People smoke a lot, sedentary people often sit in one place. Age: the disease tends to increase with age.

3. Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis

Most cases of deep vein thrombosis are asymptomatic. However, the following symptoms may be present:
Pain may be seen in people with deep vein thrombosis, mild or severe pain, pain that increases with walking Change of skin color in the area of ​​​​the vein thrombosis the pulse tends to turn blue-black or an unusual color. Swollen feet, feeling of heaviness, can compare the difference between the two legs

The patient may develop frequent fevers of unknown cause. Skin burning sensation: the area of ​​the skin with blood clots is usually hotter than other areas. Superficial varicose veins can be seen. Manifestations of complications include: Unexplained shortness of breath, coughing a lot, sometimes coughing up blood, chest pain... are manifestations when deep vein thrombosis causes pulmonary embolism complications. When you have these symptoms, you need to go to the hospital immediately for timely treatment.

4. Complications of deep vein thrombosis

The most dangerous complication is pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis follows the venous blood flow to the right atrium, then to the right ventricle, the right ventricle squeezes the clot to the lungs, due to the pulmonary vascular system. Small enough that the clot cannot move, causing a pulmonary embolism. Causes skin ulcers below the site of the vein thrombosis. Leg pain, prolonged leg edema Deep vein thrombosis can occur in many different subjects but usually increases with age. The disease can cause life-threatening complications, so when there are any warning symptoms or people in high-risk subjects, they should go to the doctor for early treatment to bring high treatment efficiency.