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Suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

The doctor or nurse who has examined you suspects that you may have a blood clot, a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). You have been thoroughly examined are now considered fit to be discharged. The following will aid your recovery.

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The doctor or nurse who has examined you suspects that you may have a blood clot, a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Here is some information about what that means and how we will look after you.

What is a DVT?

A DVT is a clot of blood that has formed in the deep veins of limbs, usually in the leg. The clot forms a ‘plug’, which interrupts the normal flow of blood. It can occur for a number of reasons, some of these are:

Following an accident/operation
Periods of immobility
Long journey – where movement is restricted

How do you know if you have a DVT?

There are many symptoms that could be caused by a DVT. These include:

A tender or painful leg that is sometimes hot to touch
A swollen leg, caused by an accumulation of fluid
Discolouration of the skin on the affected leg
Swollen or altered appearance of veins

If you have some of these symptoms it could mean that you have a DVT. However, they can sometimes be due to other problems such as infection or inflammation.

You will have been given an injection of a drug, an anticoagulant, which is part of the treatment of a DVT and is to help prevent any clot dislodging or becoming bigger. You will be referred to the

Preston Primary Care Centre where you will continue to be given these injections until further investigations have confirmed or ruled out the diagnosis of a DVT. If it is confirmed you will continue the injections for several days until any oral anticoagulants, that you will be commenced on, take effect. If the diagnosis of DVT is ruled out the injections will be stopped. The fact that you have received an injection should not cause you any harm. An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation, that is, it stops blood from clotting.

Further investigations might include either or sometimes both of the following:

A compression ultrasound – this involves having a scan of your limb that can show where the blood flow is restricted and if a clot is present.
A venogram – this involves having a special dye injected into a vein in your affected limb. This dye can be seen on X-ray and show if there is any restriction indicating a DVT.

Important

If you feel unwell and start to suffer any of the following symptoms you must return immediately to the Emergency Department at your local hospital:

Chest pain;
Shortness of breath;
Coughing especially if bringing up blood.

If you do not understand any of the information within this card please ask the nurse or doctor who is looking after you.

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Suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

What is a DVT?

How do you know if you have a DVT?

Important

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