(Acute & Emergency) (Peri-op & Anaesthesia) (Clinical Haematology) (Renal & Urology)

Overview

• Development of a blood clot in a major deep vein in the leg, thigh, pelvis, or abdomen
• Deep veins in the leg are more prone to blood stasis, hence clots are more likely to form
• Risk Factors → COCP, post-surgery, prolonged immobility, obesity, pregnancy, malignancy, smoking, polycythaemia, thrombophilia (protein C deficiency)
• Very common, especially in hospitalised patients

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Calf swelling
• Warmth & erythema (skin rash)
• Progressive tenderness, dull pain (may also be painless)
• Presence of oedema worse on leg with suspected DVT
• Dilated superficial veins over foot and leg
• Homan’s Sign → calf pain on dorsiflexion of the foot
• Signs of PE → dyspnoea, chest pain, dizziness, weakness