Deep Venous Thrombosis Research Paper
Deep venous thrombosis
Deep venous thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. It mainly affects the large veins in the lower leg and thigh.
Causes
When a clot breaks off and moves through the bloodstream, this is called an embolism. An embolism can get stuck in the brain, lungs, heart, or other area, leading to severe damage.
Blood clots may form when something slows or changes the flow of blood in the veins. Risk factors include:
• A pacemaker catheter that has been passed through the vein in the groin
• Bedrest
• Family history of blood clots
• Fractures in the pelvis or legs
• Giving birth within the last 6 months
• Obesity
• Recent surgery (most commonly hip, knee, or female pelvic surgery)
• Too many blood cells being made by the bone marrow, causing the …show more content…
This is most likely when you also have one or more of the risk factors listed above.
TREATMENT
The doctor will give you medicine to thin your blood which are called anticoagulants. This will keep more clots from forming or old ones from getting bigger. These drugs cannot dissolve clots you already have. The medications are Heparin or Warfarin.
Heparin is usually the first drug you will receive.
• If heparin is given through a vein (IV), you must stay in the hospital.
• Newer forms of heparin can be given by injection once or twice a day. You may not need to stay in the hospital as long, or at all, if you are prescribed this newer form of heparin.
Warfarin (Coumadin) is usually started along with heparin.
• Warfarin is taken by mouth. It takes several days to fully work.
• Heparin is not stopped until the warfarin has been at the right dose for at least 2
Deep venous thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. It mainly affects the large veins in the lower leg and thigh.
Causes
When a clot breaks off and moves through the bloodstream, this is called an embolism. An embolism can get stuck in the brain, lungs, heart, or other area, leading to severe damage.
Blood clots may form when something slows or changes the flow of blood in the veins. Risk factors include:
• A pacemaker catheter that has been passed through the vein in the groin
• Bedrest
• Family history of blood clots
• Fractures in the pelvis or legs
• Giving birth within the last 6 months
• Obesity
• Recent surgery (most commonly hip, knee, or female pelvic surgery)
• Too many blood cells being made by the bone marrow, causing the …show more content…
This is most likely when you also have one or more of the risk factors listed above.
TREATMENT
The doctor will give you medicine to thin your blood which are called anticoagulants. This will keep more clots from forming or old ones from getting bigger. These drugs cannot dissolve clots you already have. The medications are Heparin or Warfarin.
Heparin is usually the first drug you will receive.
• If heparin is given through a vein (IV), you must stay in the hospital.
• Newer forms of heparin can be given by injection once or twice a day. You may not need to stay in the hospital as long, or at all, if you are prescribed this newer form of heparin.
Warfarin (Coumadin) is usually started along with heparin.
• Warfarin is taken by mouth. It takes several days to fully work.
• Heparin is not stopped until the warfarin has been at the right dose for at least 2