Patient-Friendly Summary of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Suspected Upper-Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when there is a clot in a vein that is deep within your body. If this happens in your upper extremity (arm, wrist, or hand), it is called upper-extremity DVT. Causes of upper-extremity DVT include trauma, infection, inflammation, heart failure, pregnancy, and cancer. Symptoms may include upper-extremity swelling, pain or tingling, heaviness, or a feeling of “pins and needles.” Upper-extremity DVTs are sometimes associated with having a device in the body such as a catheter, pacemaker, or defibrillator.