Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Pathophysiology and Management of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis occurs most often in the legs, but can form in the veins of the arms, and in the mesenteric and cerebral veins. Common risk factors of deep vein thrombosis includes age 40 years or older, being overweight, a personal or family history of blood clots, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, cancer, certain heart cases, stroke, respiratory failure, varicose veins, pregnancy, surgery including hip, knee, or stomach surgery, restricted mobility due to a long illness, injury, or surgery. Vascular injury that may result from major orthopedic surgery (e.g., knee and hip replacement), trauma (especially fractures of the pelvis, hip, or leg), or indwelling venous catheters. The D-dimer blood test measures degraded fibrinogen, which is raised in patients with a clot. The reference range varies and is set by the laboratory. This test is recommended in patients with a low or moderate clinical probability of deep vein thrombosis, as calculated by the Wells score. The two main types of anticoagulants are heparin and warfarin (coumadin) to keep a clot from growing or prevent new clots from forming. Warfarin interfere with hepatic synthesis of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X. Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, is an effective and cheap oral anticoagulant.