Blood clots and treatment. Comprehensive Guide to Blood Clot Treatment: Medications, Procedures, and Home Care
What are the primary treatments for blood clots. How do anticoagulant medications work in preventing and treating blood clots. What are the various types of blood thinners available for blood clot treatment. How can patients manage blood clot treatment at home. What additional interventions may be necessary for blood clot treatment beyond medication.
Understanding Blood Clots and Their Treatment
Blood clots are a serious medical condition that require prompt and effective treatment. The primary goal of blood clot treatment is to prevent the clot from growing, reduce the risk of complications, and prevent new clots from forming. While the mainstay of treatment involves anticoagulant medications, also known as blood thinners, other interventions may be necessary depending on the severity and location of the clot.
What are blood clots?
Blood clots are gel-like clumps of blood that form in the veins or arteries. When they occur in deep veins, usually in the legs, they are called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can cause a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism (PE).
The Role of Anticoagulant Medications in Blood Clot Treatment
Anticoagulant medications, commonly referred to as blood thinners, are the cornerstone of blood clot treatment. Despite their name, these medications do not actually thin the blood. Instead, they work by slowing down the body’s ability to form new clots and preventing existing clots from growing larger.
How do blood thinners work?
Blood thinners interfere with the clotting process in various ways, depending on the specific medication. Some inhibit the production of certain clotting factors in the liver, while others directly inhibit specific clotting factors in the blood.
When are blood thinners administered?
Blood thinners are often initiated in the hospital during the acute phase of treatment, typically within the first 5 to 10 days following diagnosis. However, in some cases, patients with suitable risk profiles may be prescribed blood thinners for home use from the outset.
Types of Blood Thinners Used in Blood Clot Treatment
There are several categories of blood thinners used in the treatment of blood clots. Each type has its own advantages and considerations.
Unfractionated Heparin (UFH)
Unfractionated heparin is a fast-acting anticoagulant typically administered intravenously in hospital settings. It requires close monitoring and frequent dose adjustments.
Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)
LMWH is derived from unfractionated heparin but has a more predictable effect and requires less frequent monitoring. It is administered via subcutaneous injection and can often be used in outpatient settings.
Warfarin
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that has been used for decades. It requires regular blood tests to monitor its effect and may interact with various foods and medications.
Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) Medications
DOACs are newer oral anticoagulants that do not require regular blood monitoring. They include medications such as apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and edoxaban (Savaysa).
Managing Blood Clot Treatment at Home
For many patients, blood clot treatment extends beyond the hospital stay and continues at home for weeks, months, or even years. Successful home management of blood clot treatment involves several key components.
How can patients ensure effective home treatment?
- Take medications exactly as prescribed
- Attend all follow-up appointments
- Maintain regular communication with healthcare providers
- Report any symptoms of blood clots or medication side effects promptly
- Keep track of test results
- Provide doctors with a complete list of all medications to avoid potential interactions
Additional Interventions for Blood Clot Treatment
While anticoagulant medications form the backbone of blood clot treatment, additional interventions may be necessary in some cases.
What other treatments might be used for blood clots?
- Compression Stockings: These help improve blood flow in the legs and reduce swelling.
- Thrombolytic Therapy: This involves the use of “clot-busting” drugs to dissolve large clots quickly.
- Mechanical Thrombectomy: A surgical procedure to physically remove a clot.
- Vena Cava Filters: Implantable devices that prevent clots from traveling to the lungs.
Financial Considerations in Blood Clot Treatment
The cost of blood clot treatment, particularly long-term anticoagulant therapy, can be a significant concern for many patients. Fortunately, several pharmaceutical companies offer financial assistance programs to help patients cover the cost of their medications.
What financial assistance options are available?
Many manufacturers of anticoagulant medications offer savings cards or patient assistance programs. These include:
- Janssen CarePath for Xarelto
- Eliquis 360 Support
- Savaysa Savings Program
- Pradaxa Savings Card
Additionally, organizations like the Patient Advocate Foundation provide resources to help patients find financial assistance for various medical conditions, including blood clot treatment.
Ongoing Care and Follow-up in Blood Clot Treatment
Successful blood clot treatment requires ongoing care and regular follow-up with healthcare providers. This ensures that the treatment remains effective and allows for timely adjustments if needed.
Why is follow-up care crucial in blood clot treatment?
Regular follow-up allows healthcare providers to:
- Monitor the effectiveness of the anticoagulant therapy
- Assess for any complications or side effects
- Adjust medication dosages as needed
- Determine the appropriate duration of treatment
- Provide education on lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of future clots
Patients should maintain open communication with their healthcare providers, reporting any new symptoms or concerns promptly. This collaborative approach ensures the best possible outcomes in blood clot treatment.
Emerging Trends and Research in Blood Clot Treatment
The field of blood clot treatment is continuously evolving, with ongoing research aimed at improving treatment options and patient outcomes.
What are some recent developments in blood clot treatment?
Recent advances in blood clot treatment include:
- Development of reversal agents for DOACs, improving their safety profile
- Research into extended anticoagulation therapy for certain high-risk patients
- Exploration of personalized treatment approaches based on genetic factors
- Investigation of novel anticoagulant medications with improved efficacy and safety profiles
As research progresses, it’s likely that blood clot treatment will become increasingly tailored to individual patient needs, potentially improving outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.
Lifestyle Modifications to Support Blood Clot Treatment
While medication is the primary treatment for blood clots, certain lifestyle modifications can support treatment efforts and reduce the risk of future clots.
How can patients reduce their risk of future blood clots?
Patients can take several steps to complement their medical treatment:
- Stay physically active: Regular exercise improves circulation and reduces the risk of clots
- Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor for blood clots
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can increase blood thickness and clot risk
- Avoid prolonged immobility: Move regularly during long trips or periods of sitting
- Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of blood clots
- Manage underlying health conditions: Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can increase clot risk
By combining these lifestyle modifications with prescribed medical treatment, patients can optimize their blood clot treatment and reduce the risk of future events.
Understanding the Long-term Outlook for Blood Clot Patients
The long-term prognosis for patients who have experienced a blood clot can vary depending on several factors, including the location and severity of the clot, the promptness of treatment, and the patient’s overall health.
What is the long-term outlook for blood clot patients?
With proper treatment and follow-up care, many patients recover well from blood clots. However, some may experience long-term complications:
- Post-thrombotic syndrome: Chronic leg pain and swelling following DVT
- Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: High blood pressure in the lungs following PE
- Increased risk of recurrent clots: Some patients may be at higher risk for future clots
Regular follow-up with healthcare providers and adherence to prescribed treatment can help manage these risks and improve long-term outcomes.
The Importance of Patient Education in Blood Clot Treatment
Patient education plays a crucial role in the successful management of blood clots. Well-informed patients are better equipped to adhere to their treatment plan, recognize potential complications, and make lifestyle changes that support their recovery.
What should patients know about their blood clot treatment?
Key areas of patient education include:
- Understanding the nature of their condition and the importance of treatment
- Proper use of prescribed medications, including potential side effects and interactions
- Recognition of signs and symptoms that may indicate a new clot or treatment complications
- Importance of regular follow-up appointments and diagnostic tests
- Lifestyle modifications to support treatment and reduce future clot risk
- When and how to seek emergency medical attention
Healthcare providers should ensure that patients have access to comprehensive educational resources and opportunities to ask questions about their treatment. This empowers patients to take an active role in their care and improves overall treatment outcomes.
The Role of Multidisciplinary Care in Blood Clot Treatment
Effective blood clot treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving various healthcare specialties working together to provide comprehensive care.
Who might be involved in a patient’s blood clot treatment team?
A multidisciplinary blood clot treatment team may include:
- Hematologists: Specialists in blood disorders
- Vascular surgeons: For surgical interventions if needed
- Interventional radiologists: For procedures like mechanical thrombectomy
- Pulmonologists: For management of pulmonary embolism
- Primary care physicians: For ongoing management and coordination of care
- Pharmacists: For medication management and education
- Physiotherapists: For rehabilitation and mobility support
- Nutritionists: For dietary advice, especially for patients on warfarin
This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of a patient’s condition are addressed, leading to more comprehensive and effective treatment.
Navigating the Challenges of Long-term Anticoagulation Therapy
For many patients, blood clot treatment involves long-term or even lifelong anticoagulation therapy. While this treatment is essential for preventing future clots, it can present various challenges that patients need to navigate.
What challenges might patients face with long-term anticoagulation therapy?
Common challenges include:
- Medication adherence: Consistently taking medication as prescribed
- Managing bleeding risks: Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding
- Dietary considerations: Especially for patients on warfarin
- Activity restrictions: Balancing clot prevention with bleeding risk
- Psychological impact: Coping with the need for long-term medication
- Financial burden: Managing the cost of ongoing treatment
Healthcare providers should work closely with patients to address these challenges, providing support, education, and resources to ensure successful long-term management of anticoagulation therapy.
The Future of Blood Clot Treatment: Emerging Technologies and Approaches
As medical science advances, new technologies and approaches are emerging that may revolutionize blood clot treatment in the future.
What innovations are on the horizon for blood clot treatment?
Some promising areas of research and development include:
- Targeted thrombolytic therapies: More precise methods of delivering clot-busting drugs
- Advanced imaging techniques: Improved methods for detecting and monitoring clots
- Nanotechnology: Potential use of nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery
- Gene therapy: Exploring genetic approaches to prevent or treat clots
- Artificial intelligence: Using AI to predict clot risk and optimize treatment
- Novel anticoagulants: Development of drugs with improved safety and efficacy profiles
While many of these innovations are still in early stages of research, they hold promise for improving the effectiveness and safety of blood clot treatment in the future.
As we continue to advance our understanding of blood clots and refine treatment approaches, the outlook for patients with this condition continues to improve. With a combination of effective medications, lifestyle modifications, and ongoing medical care, many patients can successfully manage their condition and reduce their risk of future clots. However, it’s crucial for patients to remain engaged in their care, maintain open communication with their healthcare providers, and stay informed about new developments in blood clot treatment. By doing so, they can ensure they’re receiving the most appropriate and effective treatment for their individual needs.
Blood Clot Treatment – Blood Clots
Last updated October 26, 2022
The prevention and treatment of blood clots primarily involves the use of anticoagulant medications or, as they are commonly referred to, “blood thinners.” While these medications do not actually “thin” the blood, they do slow the body’s ability to form new clots and keep existing clots from getting bigger.
Blood thinners are often administered in the hospital, particularly during the first 5 to 10 days following diagnosis, considered the most serious or acute phase of the condition. However, blood thinners may be initially prescribed for home use in individuals with suitable risk profiles. For many patients, at-home treatment with blood thinners may continue for weeks, months, or years following hospitalization to prevent clots from returning.
Follow-up care with blood thinners is a crucial part of your treatment. Be sure to always take your medication as prescribed, go to all appointments, and stay in regular communication with your healthcare provider. Always let your doctor know if you experience any blood clot symptoms and/or potential medication side effects. It’s also a good idea to know your test results throughout your treatment and provide your doctor with a list of the medicines you take to help monitor possible drug interactions. Likewise, be sure to ask any questions or discuss all of your concerns during your physician visits.
The following is an overview of the various categories of blood thinners and other treatments that should supplement the information provided by your doctor:
Anticoagulation Medications or Blood Thinners
The most commonly prescribed blood thinners are unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, warfarin, and direct oral anticoagulants. Click on the following links for information about each blood thinner:
- Unfractionated Heparin (UFH)
- Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)
- Warfarin
- Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) Medications
- Study Results Demonstrate VTE Treatment Satisfaction Among Patients
Savings Cards
Taking an anticoagulant may pose financial challenges.
Several pharmaceutical companies have financial assistance programs to help patients cover the cost of medication.
- Janssen: If you are prescribed Xarelto, Janssen CarePath is a financial assistance program that aids patients in finding the resources that they need to stay on track for their treatment. This program helps patients who have commercial insurance, government coverage, and the uninsured.
- Janssen is expanding their Patient Access and Affordability Programs to hep patients facing access and/or affordability issues due to limited or restricted insurance benefit design. Learn more.
- Eliquis: If you are prescribed Eliquis, Eliquis 360 Support is a program that helps patients understand their prescription coverage and learn about ways to save on out-of-pocket costs.
- Savaysa: Savaysa helps eligible patients who are not enrolled in a state or federally funded prescription benefit program (such as Medicare Part D or Medicaid) pay as little as $4 a month with their savings card. Eligibility for this program varies.
- Pradaxa: Pradaxa has a savings card for patients who are currently taking this prescription, or who have just received a prescription. This program helps patients who have commercial insurance, government coverage, and the uninsured.
- Patient Advocate Foundation: This organization has a patient financial resources directory that contains a list of potential organizations that provide financial assistance, including copayment and medication assistance, to patients with a variety of conditions. Eligibility for these programs vary.
Other Treatments
In addition to blood thinners, you may require other interventions, including: surgical procedures, implantable devices, or other medications and products. Click on the following links for more information about these treatments:
- Compression Stockings
- Thrombolytic Therapy
- Mechanical Thrombectomy
- Vena Cava Filters
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Treating Blood Clots in Legs
Written by Annie Stuart
Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on February 21, 2023
- Blood Thinners
- Over-the-Counter Medication
- Clot Busting
- Medical Procedures
- Treating DVT at Home
- Ongoing Medication
- More
What will treating a DVT, a blood clot deep in a vein, do for you?
- It will keep the clot from growing.
- It lowers the risk of long-lasting complications such as leg pain and swelling.
- It can help prevent future blood clots.
Often, medication and taking care of yourself will do the trick. But you may need surgery. Talk to your doctor about which treatments are right for you.
These drugs, also called anticoagulants, are the most common treatment for DVT. They can keep a clot from growing or breaking off, and they prevent new clots from forming. But they can’t thin your blood, despite their name. And they won’t get rid of an existing clot.
Your doctor may want you to take blood thinners for 3 months or longer. If your blood clots developed after a surgery, you may be on medication for a shorter time. In some circumstances, your doctor may want you on blood thinners for more than a few months or indefinitely.
Sometimes you will start your treatment taking blood thinners by IV or injection. The most prescribed of these medications are:
- Enoxaparin (Lovenox), an injectable
- Fondaparinux (Arixtra), another injectable
- Heparin, taken by IV
After a few days, your doctor may switch you to a blood thinner in tablet or capsule form, such as:
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- Warfarin (Jantoven)
Other blood thinner tablets can be prescribed and taken immediately after a DVT diagnosis, skipping the IV or injectable medications. Many doctors believe these medications, also known as IX inhibitors, can dissolve blood clots with less risk of bleeding. These blood thinners include:
- Apixaban (Eliquis)
- Edoxaban (Lixiana, Savaysa)
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
Apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban are all pills. Fondaparinux is a shot that people who are having hip fracture, hip replacement, knee replacement, or abdominal surgery get to prevent DVT. Your doctor might also prescribe it with warfarin to treat a serious DVT or to treat a clot that gets stuck in your lung, called a pulmonary embolism.
Dabigatran is a pill that stops a certain protein that helps your blood clot from working. That’s why it’s called a direct thrombin inhibitor.
When you go to the hospital with a new blood clot (called acute DVT), your doctor may give you heparin at first, through an IV needle into your vein or as a shot. You may have to keep taking shots once you’re home, once or twice daily. When you get heparin by IV, you’ll need blood tests, too. But you won’t need them if you’re taking shots of low-molecular-weight heparin under your skin.
You may also take warfarin by pill once a day, starting while you’re on heparin and then usually for 3 to 6 months or more. While you take it, you’ll need regular blood tests to make sure you’ve got the right amount in your system. Too little won’t prevent clots, and too much makes dangerous bleeding more likely. It can also interact with other medicines, vitamins, and foods with a lot of vitamin K, which is another good reason to get your blood checked often.
Let your doctor know if you’re pregnant because warfarin can cause birth defects. You’ll have to take something else.
Make sure to take your blood thinners exactly as prescribed to avoid potentially serious side effects. These can include:
- Brown or red coloring in your urine, bowel movements, or vomit from internal bleeding
- Deep bruising
- Severe headaches or stomachaches
- Unusually heavy menstrual bleeding
Contact your doctor immediately if you start to have these side effects. Also remember, pregnant women shouldn’t take certain blood thinners.
Blood thinners can change the way other medications work and vice versa. Make sure your doctor knows about all the medicines you take.
Some studies show that taking aspirin regularly can cut the risk of DVT clots returning by one-third without increasing the risk of bleeding. But aspirin has the most impact when you take it regularly after you finish with prescription medication that you take after DVT surgery. And since aspirin therapy is not part of routine treatment of DVT, you should talk about it first with your doctor.
Your body will dissolve the blood clot over time. But in the meantime, it could damage the inside of your vein. Your doctor may recommend a clot-busting medicine called a thrombolytic agent if you:
- Have large clots causing pain, swelling, and problems with circulation
- Are at high risk for a pulmonary embolism
- Have DVT in your arm rather than your leg
This procedure quickly breaks up a clot and restores blood flow. It may also save the valves in that vein. But it’s riskier than taking blood thinners. You have a higher chance of bleeding problems and stroke.
You’ll go to the hospital to get it done. Using an X-ray as a guide, a specialist will put a thin tube called a catheter into your vein and work the tip of it into your DVT. Then, they’ll use the catheter to send the drug directly into the clot.
If your vein seems narrow, they may widen it and help prevent future blockages by doing a balloon angioplasty or placing a stent.
The most commonly used medications of this type include:
- Alteplase (Activase)
- Anistreplase (Eminase)
- Reteplase (Retavase)
- Tenecteplase (Metalyse, TNKase)
When taking blood thinners or clot-busting isn’t possible or doesn’t work well, your doctor may want to try a more involved procedure.
Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. An IVC filter is a small metal device that looks like an upside-down umbrella and can stop blood clots in your veins from moving. It goes in your body’s main vein, called the inferior vena cava (IVC). This vein runs through your belly. It sends blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart.
The procedure to put the filter in usually takes around an hour, and you can go home the same day. In the hospital, the doctor will put a medication that makes you feel sleepy and relaxed into a vein in your arm. You’ll also receive a shot to numb the area at the base of your neck or near your groin. This is where the doctor will make a small cut and insert a thin, flexible plastic tube called a catheter into your vein. Using an X-ray to guide them, the doctor will thread the filter into place in the vein. It will expand and attach to the walls of the vein. After the surgery, you may need pain medicine. When it’s time to go home, you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you.
An IVC filter traps blood clots before they cause a pulmonary embolism and is used only to prevent pulmonary embolisms. It doesn’t protect against DVT or treat the condition itself.
Your doctor may recommend an IVC filter if you have DVT along with one of these issues:
- Hemorrhagic, or bleeding, stroke
- Bleeding in your digestive tract. Many things can cause this, including tumors, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Malignant hypertension (very high blood pressure)
- Bleeding in your brain because of a fall or accident
- Recent brain, eye, or spinal cord surgery
- Pregnancy
They may also recommend IVC filters because of:
- Blood thinner failure. These drugs don’t work for some people.
- Circulation problems, which your doctor might call hemodynamic instability
- Serious injuries to your spinal cord or other organs. They can raise your risk for blood clots.
- Blood clots that move from place to place (mobile thrombus)
- DVT in your inferior vena cava and iliac veins. These are the veins that run from your heart to your lower body and pelvis.
There are two types of IVC filters. One stays in your body permanently. The other is designed to be removed. Your doctor may use a removable IVC filter if there’s a chance that your risk of a pulmonary embolism will drop. For example, you may be able to start taking blood thinners.
Venous thrombectomy. In very rare cases, you may need to have a deep vein clot cut out.
When you go home after DVT treatment, your goals are to get better and prevent another blood clot. You’ll need to:
- Take medications as directed. After a DVT, you’ll take blood thinners for at least 3 to 6 months. Your doctor will tell you exactly how long to take these medications. It might be different based on which drug you use. You may need to take oral blood thinners for a longer time if the reason for your clot is still present in your body.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations so you can shift from managing your health with blood thinners to just aspirin.
- See your doctor often. They’ll let you know if your medications are helping and make adjustments if you need them. If you’re taking warfarin, you’ll get a blood test to see how well your blood is clotting.
- Make sure you aren’t bleeding too much. This is a side effect of blood thinner medications. Even a small cut can get serious when you’re taking blood thinners.
- Be safe. Talk to your doctor about things that can lead to bruises or cuts. Try not to bump or injure your legs. Don’t cross your legs.
- Stay active. Even if you’ve been on bed rest after surgery or for other reasons, get moving. That’s a sure way to prevent more blood clots. Don’t sit or stand still for more than an hour at a time. Change positions often, especially if you’re on a long trip.
- Wear compression stockings. The most common kinds of these special socks go from the arch of your foot to just below or above your knee. They can relieve the pain and swelling in your legs, and they help prevent more clots. Compression stockings come in different levels of pressure. You can get mild ones over the counter, but you’ll need to get fitted and a prescription for stronger ones. Your doctor will help you figure out what kind you need. You may have to wear them for 2 years or longer after you have DVT.
- Eat a healthy, low-salt diet. Extra pounds put more pressure on the veins in your pelvis and legs. Salt boosts your blood pressure. Keeping your sodium and cholesterol levels low can help you avoid another blood clot.
- Work on losing weight if you’re carrying extra pounds.
- Quit smoking. It affects blood flow and circulation, which can raise your odds of getting another clot.
- Lift up. Raise the bottom of your bed 6 inches off the ground. You can use blocks, books, or special risers you can find online or at home stores.
Some people with DVT might need to take blood thinners for the rest of their lives. Your doctor will make this decision based on how likely you are to have another blood clot. They’ll also consider your risk of bleeding when they suggest longer treatment with blood thinners.
You’re at higher risk for another clot if you:
- Have cancer
- Are going through chemotherapy
- Have had a blood clot in a vein before
- Are male
- Have a positive D-dimer test, which shows if your body has more blood clot formations
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Treatment of deep vein thrombosis Moscow
What is thrombosis? This is a pathology that results in the formation of blood clots in the arteries or veins, most often on the legs. To prevent complications, timely treatment of leg thrombosis is very important, since such phenomena can lead the patient to disability and death. That is why the treatment of acute thrombosis should not be delayed or trusted by untrained doctors. Contact the experienced specialists of the Chekhov Vascular Center, and we will help you maintain your health.
If lower extremity vein thrombosis is suspected, treatment should begin with an accurate diagnosis, which will help to select an individual program taking into account the comorbidities of each patient.
Benefits of treating lower extremity vein thrombosis with us include:
- Consultation of an experienced phlebologist;
- Accurate diagnosis;
- A modern technique for the treatment of thrombosis painlessly, quickly and safely using the Swiss device Aspirex STRAUB;
- Affordable prices with high quality of treatment.
This is the key to the success of our center: individual approach, quality, experience!
Why should the treatment of thrombosis of the legs not be delayed?
A thrombus is a blood clot that partially or completely blocks a vessel. Left untreated, arterial thrombosis can lead to organ damage, including heart attack, stroke, ischemia, and gangrene. Venous thrombosis, the treatment of which is delayed by the patient, tends to grow, which ends in blockage of blood vessels or embolism. In general, more people die from ignoring symptoms and treating thrombosis than from car accidents. Therefore, experts recommend starting treatment of acute thrombosis of the lower extremities as early as possible.
The main factors in the occurrence of thrombosis: poor blood clotting, deterioration of blood flow, damage to the walls of the veins as a result of exposure. Surgery, childbirth, trauma, lack of physical activity, tumors are all risk factors for the development of the disease. A frequent complication of varicose veins is thrombosis, the treatment in this case should be comprehensive, eliminating the thrombus and preventing relapse.
Be sure to seek treatment for lower extremity vein thrombosis with symptoms:
- Pain and redness in certain areas;
- Puffiness;
- High temperature;
- Vein seal.
More rarely, venous collaterals may be present on the lower abdomen, hips, thigh, or lower leg.
Superficial leg vein thrombosis is better diagnosed, but deep vein disease is dangerous due to the possibility of asymptomatic development.
Indications for the treatment of thrombosis of the arteries of the lower extremities are:
- Pain in affected area;
- Decreased sensation and mobility of the leg;
- Tissue death;
- May be accompanied by an acute ischemic condition.
Thus, the symptoms of thrombosis and treatment depend on the stage of the disease, the location of the thrombus, and other factors.
Diagnosis of thrombosis
The best method for diagnosing thrombosis is duplex ultrasound. This procedure is absolutely painless, as a result, it accurately determines the affected area, the location and size of the thrombus, the nature of the blood flow itself.
Along with a general examination of the patient, taking an anamnesis and laboratory tests, high-quality ultrasound allows you to assess the general condition of the patient and choose the most appropriate method for treating leg thrombosis.
Treatment of arterial and venous thrombosis
Modern methods of thrombosis treatment involve both conservative and radical methods. It all depends on the stage and nature of the disease. In the early stages of arterial thrombosis, as with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, treatment can be medical, using compression bandages.
Surgical treatment of thrombosis is an extreme option used in emergency situations. With a timely appeal to a phlebologist, it is more gentle to use innovative technologies for removing blood clots from veins and arteries using the Swiss technology Aspirex STRAUВ (within 14 days from the formation of a blood clot). Through a small puncture in the vessel, thrombotic masses are removed, while the walls and valves of the veins are not injured. Thus, this operation allows you to quickly, without pain and scars and as safely as possible for the body to cope with thrombosis, to avoid disability and serious consequences of the disease.
The cost of thrombosis treatment
The treatment of arterial and vein thrombosis is a series of activities that must be carried out under the close supervision of a specialist in order to prevent the development of PE and other post-thrombotic complications. The specialists of the Chekhov Vascular Center have everything for this: experience, technology, modern methods. The final cost of treatment directly depends on the complexity and stage of the disease, the chosen methods of treatment, including a doctor’s consultation and a possible hospital. Contact us and we will cope with the disease together. You can learn more about the types of services and prices in the “Price List” section. Sign up for an appointment through the form on the website or by phone.
Treatment of vein thrombosis – Diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis in St. Petersburg. ☎️ 8 (812) 493-21-22
Thrombosis is the process of formation of a blood clot (thrombus), which is formed in the lumen of the vessel. As a result, blood circulation is disturbed in a certain area. In this case, arching pain appears, accompanied by redness and swelling. Basically, the disease manifests itself without symptoms, but a blood clot can cause a complication in the form of pulmonary embolism.
According to statistics, every fourth of us is at risk for a blood clot. Women are mainly susceptible to thrombosis, this is due to female hormones with a high level of them, the use of hormonal contraceptives, and pregnancy. In addition, grade 3 obesity increases the likelihood of a blood clot by 5 times. Blood clots can also be found in arteries, veins, and capillaries. But most often lesions are formed in the venous vessels of the lower extremities, and more precisely in the lower leg. The clot hardens within a week, and the wall of the vein becomes inflamed. New ones appear.
Andrian Ivanovich
Surgeon, phlebologist
Treatment of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities begins with an ultrasound examination and tests. In the absence of results from drug treatment, the thrombus is removed through surgery. Thrombosis in the deep veins of the lower extremities occurs due to congenital vascular anomalies, cancer, hormonal disorders, obesity, the consequences of surgical interventions, fractures, infections, and age after 40 years.
Symptoms of the disease are expressed as a vein in the form of a knot, reddened edematous skin, small surrounding veins that look like blue tortuous lines under the skin.
Prevention
For prevention, more fluid intake, walking on stairs, lifting the body on toes, rotating the feet, massaging the legs from the toes, walking are recommended.
Thrombosis of the veins of the legs is a serious and dangerous symptom, you should not delay the visit to the doctor, the treatment of vein thrombosis in such a metropolis as St. Petersburg has many advantages, as professional phlebologists work here with the most modern medical equipment.
Treatment of thrombosis of the upper limbs
Thrombosis of the veins of the arm is also provoked by inflammation of the vessel wall and the appearance of a blood clot that requires immediate treatment. Thrombophlebitis of the hands occurs due to complicated childbirth, aggravated heredity, surgical operations, long fixation of the arm, chemotherapy, vein pathology in drug addicts, sepsis, bites of sucking insects, overweight, old age, physical inactivity. Thrombosis is manifested by pain, swelling, vascular thickening, increased body temperature. In the advanced form, the limbs become numb, sensitivity is lost, and the lymph nodes increase. The pain is localized in the forearm and hand.
In case of constant heaviness and fatigue, seek immediate medical attention to avoid tissue necrosis. Timely treatment relieves pain and prevents complications in the form of the spread of the focus to other veins. Prescribe conservative treatment or surgical intervention. To prevent the formation of thrombophlebitis, prophylaxis is carried out. People prone to this pathology should follow a healthy lifestyle with a daily set of exercises, give up high heels in shoes, eat rationally, and be examined regularly.