Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
INTRODUCTION :
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious preventable cause of morbidity & mortality in the
world. DVT & pulmonary embolism (PE) are distinct but related aspects of VTE. Being silent (80%
DVT) and difficult to diagnose it poses great challenges in establishing diagnosis. Higher incidence,
underestimation of risk, low level of clinical suspicion, under-used prophylaxis with high fatality has
made DVT a world wide cause for concern. The immediate need of the hour is to have standard
guidelines for management of DVT. These guidelines have to be practical, acceptable and
implementable in institution all over.
According to American heart association, DVT occurs in about 2 million Americans every
year.
More people suffer from DVT annually than heart attack or stroke.
Upto 6,00,000 people are hospitalized in U.S. each year for D.V.T.
Fatal P.E. may be the most common preventable cause of hospital deaths is U.S.
Only 1/3 of the hospitalized patients with risk factors for blood clots received preventive
treatment ; (according to U.S. multicentric study).(2)
Without preventive treatment, Upto 60% patients who undergo total hip replacement surgery
may develop D.V.T.(3)
Cancer patients undergoing surgical procedures have at least two times the risk of post
operative D.V.T. and greater than three times risk of fatal P.E. than non cancer patients
undergoing similar procedure.
In elderly, D.V.T. is associated with 21% one-year mortality rate and P.E. is associated with
39% one-year mortality rate.
P.E. is the leading cause of maternal death associated with childbirths. A womans risk of
developing DVT is six times greater when she is pregnant.
V.T.E. is not uncommon in patients in India.(4)
Evaluation and proper management is essential to decrease the burden of V.T.E.
While surgical patients seem to draw attention of medical fraternity; it needs to be
remembered that non-surgical medical patients are at an equal or at higher risk of developing
V.T.E. when compared to surgical patients (FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY: out of 15.6% of
deaths due to P.E., only 18% were surgical patients while 82% were medical patients).
DEFINITION :
A deep vein thrombus is a blood clot or thrombus that develops in deep vein usually in leg, here
they pass through the centre of leg, surrounded by muscles, less commonly D.V.T. occurs in deep
veins of arm or pelvis.
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* Prof. & HOD, ** Assoc. Prof, *** Asst. Prof., @ PG Trainee (DNB)
Dept. of Medicine, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain (M.P.), INDIA
1
MECHANISM :
Based on Virchows triad; development of D.V.T. is primarily related to the stasis of blood flow,
vascular wall damage, activation of clotting system and hypercoaguable state.
Blood passing through the deepest veins in calf or thighs flows relatively slowly than from a solid
clot which becomes wedged in the veins.
INCIDENCE :(1)
PREDISPOSING FACTORS :
A, Patient Factors :
-Age> 40 risk increase exponentially with age
Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/ m2)
Varicose veins or venous thrombophlebitis
Previous D.V.T.
Oral contraceptives & Hormone replacement therapy ; oestrogen is responsible for D.V.T.
Pregnancy : due to (i) Hormonal Changes
(ii) Pressure on veins by fetus
Highest incidence in puerperium especially just after childbirth
Dehydration : increase blood viscosity
Immobility : Stasis of blood
Long distance travel : due to (i) Inactivity
(ii) Dehydration
due to these factors blood becomes more sticky specially if journey is for more than 5 hrs.
C. Medical Conditions :
- M.I./ Heart failure
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Malignancy or its treatment
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- Nephrotic syndrome
- Behcets syndrome
- Homocysteinemia
- Major injuries/ paralysis
D. Hematological Disorders :
- Primary proliferative polycyathemia
- Essential thrombocythemia
- Myelofibrosis / Myeloproliferative diseases
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
2
E. Anti-Coagulants Deficiencies :
- Antithrombin III : such patients are also relatively resistant to heparin
Therapy.
- Factor II Leiden : Genetic polymorphism of P.T. gene
- Factor V Leiden : Mutation leading to APC resistance
- Heparin cofactor II
- Prothrombin G20210 A mutation
G. Antiphospholipid Antibodies :
- Lupus anticoagulant
- Anti Cardiolipin antibodies
It is difficult to notice because of only one of multiple veins involved allowing adequate venous
return through the remaining patient Vessels . The most common complaint is of calf pain which is
noticeable or worse when standing or walking. Examination shows posterior calf tenderness,
warmth, increased tissue tigour or modest swelling and rarely cord. Sometimes mild fever may
occur usually < 380C.
HOMANS, SIGN :
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DIAGNOSIS : (6)
B. Venography :
- This is reference standard for diagnosis of D.V.T.
- Contrast medium is injected into superficial veins of foot and directed to words deep veins by
tourniquets. Presence of filling defects or absence of filling of deep veins indicates D.V.T.
- Limitations : a.) Difficult to perform
- b.) Require expertise for interpretation
3.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS :
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Muscle rupture
Trauma
Hemorrhage
Ruptured popliteal cyst
Lymphaedema
Post phlebitic syndrome
Streptococcal skin infections
Nerve compression
Arthritis
Tendonitis
Fractures
Arterial occlusive disorders
simple muscle strains
TREATMENT :
2. EXERCISE :
Encourage the patient to perform gentle foot & leg exercises every hour. Dumping effect of muscle
action promotes various return. Gentle exercise minimize further thrombus formation but overtly
vigourous ones may dislodge the clots.
Isometric : eg plantar flexion against foot board recommended after surgery, they increase
venous flow but at the same time raise B.P.
ISOTONIC : eg active passive foot leg flexion & extension and ankle rotation are preferred.
3. FLUIDS : Increase fluid intake upto 2 l/day unless contraindicated. This increase vascular
volume and decrease viscosity of blood thus improving the blood flow.
4.AVOID DEEP PALPATION : Rubbing or deep palpation or pressure under knees by sitting cross
legged or by pillow can cause the clot break free & embolise. Sudden increase in intrathoracic
pressure like valsalva maneuver can dislodge the clot.
5. COMPRESSION STOCKING : To relieve pain & swelling and to prevent post thrombotic
syndrome, intermittent pneumatic (or graduated) compression stocking or T.E.D. (Thromboembolic
deterent stockings) which are tighter at foot than higher up the leg are used. They improve venous
flow & may need to be worn for several months or more.
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1. ANTICOAGULANTS : (8)
Heparin : It acts indirectly by activating plasma Antithrombin III . dose : i/v bolus 7500-10000 IU
followed by continues infusion so that 1000-1500 IU/Hr is maintained.
Deep SIC injection of 10,000-20,000 U every 8-12 hrs can also be given. The dose is
adjusted so that aPTT becomes twice control value. Heparin treatment should be maintained for at
least 5-7 days. This may cause thrombocytopenia in <5% of patients. Infrequently these patients
may develop arterial thrombosis & ischemia.
LMWH : They are as effective or even better than UFH. They also cause antithrombin III dependent
inhibition of activated coagulation.
Dalteparins, Enoxapain, Nadoparin are used S/C in fixed OD/BD doses i.e. 40 mg OD S/C for 6-14
days. Lower incidence of thrombocytopenia seen (9)(10)(11)
WARFARIN : It is oral anticoagulant acts by indirectly interfeeling with the synthesis of vit k
dependent clotting factors in liver, 2-10 mg is started during first week of haparin therapy as early
as the first day if aPTT is in therapeutic range. Dose adjusted accordingly to P.T. INR should be
maintained 2-3 times control. Heaprin can then be withdrawn.
- Obese patient undergoing surgery may require higher doses than non obese .
- Anticoagulation can stop new blood clots from forming and old ones from growing. However,
they
cant dissolve the existing clots. The body does this itself over time.
- Duration of anticoagulation :
- Idiopathic thrombus : 6-12 mts.
- Past OP/Secondary thrombus : 3 hrs.
- Secondary episodes of thrombus : at least 1 yr.
5.
Indication :
For patient with proximal D.V.T.
Their use for isolated D.V.T. of calf is controversial but the patient with calf vein thrombosis should
be strictly followed up because 20-30% of calf thrombosis propagate to the thigh thereby increasing
risk of pulmonary embolism. Also it is identified as cause of embolic stroke via patent foramen
ovale. At least 6 weeks of anticoagulation recommended.
2. THROMBOLYTICS : (12,13,14)
There is no evidence of superiority of thrombolytics over anticoagulants for D.V.T. However, early
administration of such drugs may accelerate clot lysis, pressure, venous valves and decrease
potential for developing post phlebitic syndrome.(13)(14)
When used heparin is discontinued till aPTT <_ 1.5 times control
Streptokinase : 250000 IU loading then 100000 IU / hr for 24 hrs. OR
Urokinase : 4400 IU/kg loading then 4400 IU/hr for 24 hrs. OR
rtPA : 100 mg in 2 hrs.
Heparin restarted when aPTT becomes 1.5 times control followed by warfarin in the usual manner.
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4. I.V.C. INTERRUPTION :
I.V.C. filters are effective in primary prophylaxis of thromboembolism in patients with increased risk
of bleeding viz. extensive trauma, visceral, cancer, spinal cord injury etc. There is no benefit to
insertion of a filter paper in patients with free floating thrombi. However there are some therapeutic
indications :
(i) Contraindication or complications of anticoagulation.
(ii) Recurrent V.T.E. despite adequate anticoagulation.
(iii) Chronic recurrent embolism with pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary embolestomy.
The most commonly used device, Greenfield filter inserted into femoral or internal jugular vein and
has 20 yr efficacy rate 95% and patency rate 96%.
Anticoagulant therapy is resumed if possible.
Complications :
(i) Thrombus at the site of insertion
(ii) Migration of filter
(iii) Improper filter deployment
(iv) Formation of clot proximal to filter with proximal propagation and embolization.
(v) Venous insufficiency.
(vi) I.V.C. obstruction.
(vii) Rarely cause M.I., Vessel perforation, pericardial temponade and arrhythmias.
It is seemed generation drug with higher affinity than that of fendaparinux . Once weekly S/C
closing is required owing to its long half-life.
(ii) Ximelagatran :- It is a prodrug of melagatran. It is the first oral direct thrombin inhibitor. After
absorption from small intestine, inhibition found to be effective in secondary prevention of V.T.E. &
prevention of VTE after total knee replacement surgery. Coagulation monitoring is usually not
required as it produced predictable anticoagulant response and prolongation of apTT and INR are
not dose dependent.
COMPLICATIONS : (16)
1) Recurrence
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3) P.E. : (17)This is the most common serious complication. It is this complication that has made
D.V.T. a major (18) cause for concern. This occurs between on in three to one in four cases of
D.V.T.A piece of clot lodged in leg vein breaks off & travels through the body to the lung where it
becomes lodged again causing severe breathing difficulties accompanied by hypotension or shock,
severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, acute r-sided heart dysfunction or obstruction of pulmonary
vasculature that exceeds 50% (19)(Demonstrated by angiogram or V/Q scan) . This is termed as
fatal P.E. Untreated 1 in 10 die 75% of patients who die of P.E. do so with in 1 hr of onset of
symptoms.
5) Stroke :
rarely the clot can dislodge in other organs including the brain.
PROPHYLAXIS : (22,23)
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CONCLUSION :
(29) Despite the availability of effective, prophylactic, therapeutic options ; venous (16)
thromboembolism continues to be under diagnosed and under treated. Awareness levels are
low particularly of medically ill patients to this potentially life treating killer disease. Though
medical (non surgical) patients are at significant risk of developing (30) DVT in India/other asian
countries is comparable to that in western countries serious challenges for our country in this
regard are to find out prevalence of disease, maintaining standard protocols for its management
and having high suspicion rate to decrease morbidity and mortality from the burden of this
potentially fatal but preventable disease (deep vein thrombosis).
8.
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