DVT Exam
In addition to taking a history, we will also perform a Physical Exam where we examine the legs and determine how much swelling we see, presence or absence of visible varicose veins, tenderness in the calf or deep thigh, redness of the skin, or signs of long-standing venous insufficiency.
A venous ultrasound is performed where we image the veins in the legs and determine if a blood clot is present. If a DVT is present, we generally consider if it is just a smaller vein below the knee (an isolated calf vein thrombosis, or ICVT), if it is above the knee (a femoral popliteal DVT) or if the clot extends from the lower leg into the pelvis (an iliofemoral DVT).
This information helps us assess what treatment options are indicated, and if so, for how long.
A Deep Vein Thrombisis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein
When a DVT is suspected or diagnosed
We begin by taking a detailed history to determine DVT treatment options:
- What is the patients age?
- How much swelling is present and is it getting worse or better?
- Does the patient have full mobility, partial mobility or very limited mobility?
- Is the leg immobilized in a cast?
- Was there a history of injury or surgery?
- Regarding surgery, did the patient have: Hip or knee replacement? Broken hip, pelvis or leg? Serious fall with broken bones? Spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis?
- Is there a history of stroke?
- Does the patient have a history of cancer or other medical conditions such as kidney failure?
- Does the patient have a prior history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE)?
- Does the patient have a family history of blood clotting disorders?
Provoked vs Unprovoked DVT
Part of the assessment is to determine if the DVT is what we categorize as “Provoked” vs “Unprovoked.” Provoked DVT occur as a result of a major risk factor, such as recent surgery or trauma or a major medical problem such as kidney disease or cancer. These risk factors can be transient or not. In transient cases, such as after surgery or trauma, once the risk factor goes away the risk of recurrence after stopping anticoagulation is very low. Patients with unprovoked DVT do not have a readily identifiable risk factor that likely contributed to their DVT. These are patients who develop DVT “out of the blue” so to speak. These patients have a higher risk of recurrence of DVT after anticoagulation is stopped. Patients at the highest risk of recurrence are those with a provoked, but not transient risk, such as those with cancer.
Treatment for DVT
The treatment is influenced by what we learn in the history, sete on the physical exam, and learn from the ultrasound. Generally, for starters, we advise nearly all patients to consider graded compression hose. This can help reduce swelling and thus reduce pain in the early days.
Anticoagulation Medication
In many cases we advise a therapeutic regimen of anticoagulation. These are drugs to thin the blood. This is usually with a medication like Xarelto (rivaroxaban) or Eliquis (apixaban), but could also be coumadin or warfarin. Occasionally, we prescribe low molecular weight heparin (ie Lovenox), which is a shot, especially around the time of surgery. We discuss the pros and cons with the patient to determine the best medication for their circumstances. Ideally the patient is started on one of these drugs right away unless there is a high risk of bleeding. The location of the DVT and other factors can also influence the treatment plan for DVT:
An isolated calf vein thrombosis (ICVT) is a blood clot in the deep veins of the calf (below the knee)
- Uncomplicated below the knee isolated calf vein thrombosis (ICVT) with minimal symptoms in a patient who is fully ambulatory with no risk factors may not need anticoagulation. Most of the time we will do short interval follows ups at approximately 3 to 7 days, and 3 or 4 weeks to make sure the DVT has not extended above the knee. If the DVT extends while the patient is not on anticoagulation, we will then make the decision with the patient to add anticoagulation.
- Patient’s with calf vein clots below the knee that are very symptomatic (pain swelling) or in a patient in a cast or who is not ambulatory will often be offered anticoagulation as these are higher risk. This is a shared decision made with the patient and the care providers to weigh the risks and benefits.
A Femoral Popliteal DVT occurs when the clot extends into the big veins across the the knee (popliteal vein) into the thigh (femoral vein)
Nearly all patients with a femoral popliteal DVT are offered anticoagulation. The exception are patients who have a high risk of bleeding due to recent injury, surgery or known bleeding sources such as bleeding from an ulcer in the stomach. If there is a bleeding contraindication, one option is referral to the hospital for placement of an inferior vena cava filter (IVC Filter). This is a temporary filter put in the vein below the heart to prevent clots from breaking off and going to the lungs. These are generally temporary, and the patient returns to the providers who put them in to have them removed once the bleeding risk is minimized and the patient can start anticoagulation.
An illiofemoral DVT is when the deep vein clot extends from the thigh (femoral veins) into the pelvic veins (iliac veins).
An Illiofemoral DVT is a blood clot that extends into the veins in the pelvis. These are much more serious in terms of risk and can be much more symptomatic in terms of pain and swelling. One option in these cases is to be referred for catheter directed thrombolysis and possible stenting of the veins in the pelvis, when indicated.
A PE is a blood clot in the lung. Any patient with any DVT can also at the same time have a pulmonary embolism from clot breaking off in the leg and traveling to the lungs. This can be barely noticeable by the patient or at times fatal. Most patients will look and feel poorly and complain of chest pain or shortness of breath. We cannot fully assess for PE in an outpatient setting, so patients are advised to seek treatment in the emergency room where testing can be done to diagnose a PE and advise if there are any hospital procedures indicated to treat it, and if admission to the hospital is necessary.
Length of Anticoagulation: Most patients with a first time, provoked DVT, will need therapeutic anticoagulation (ie blood thinners) for about 3 months. This is discussed in the consultation with the care providers at the time of diagnosis and in follow up visits. Some patients will need to stay on anticoagulation medication indefinitely. The decision to extend anticoagulation beyond 3 months indefinitely is usually made in consultation with a hematologist who can do some testing to determine the patient’s risk for long term recurrence of DVT.
In summary, patients with provoked DVT or PE with transient risk factors (such as surgery or trauma) have a low risk of recurrence. Patients with unprovoked DVT or PE have a higher risk of recurrence.
Patients with provoked PE or DVT with persistent provoking risk factors (such as ongoing treatment for cancer) have the highest risk of recurrence if the anticoagulation is stopped.
We often work with the primary care doctors and hematologist to help advise if in cases where recurrence risk is high, the patient should perhaps stay on anticoagulation for longer or even indefinitely.
Patients at higher risk for recurrence long term are those that have:
- An unprovoked DVT or PE without associated risk factors
- A DVT or PE even with risk factors, but at a young age (i.e. less than 40)
- Recurrent DVT or PE, especially at different sites
- Family history of DVT or PE at an early age
- Thrombosis in unusual locations (like in the veins to the intestines or the arm)
Bleeding and Anticoagulation
All of the blood thinners have a risk of bleeding. This risk of bleeding is higher in patients with a recent history of surgery or trauma, or in patients with known bleeding issues (like bloody nose, bleeding stomach ulcers, stroke, etc.). Age is a risk factor (greater than 65) and use of alcohol. ( more than 8 drinks a week).
Patients with medical issues are at higher risk of bleeding (including high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, stroke history) as are patients with known prior bleeding issues. The use of aspirin, platelet inhibitors like clopidogrel (Plavix) or non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen or Aleve may also increase the risk of bleeding while on anticoagulation.
We generally advise also checking with the doctors who prescribed these medications to determine if they can or should be continued while the patient is on anticoagulation. Patient specific risks and benefits of anticoagulation must be carefully weighed in all patients who are potential candidates for long-term anticoagulation therapy. If any signs of bleeding occur while taking an anticoagulation medication, the patient should seek medical evaluation immediately.
