Deep Vein Thrombosis Case Study

Deep vein Thrombosis is the third most common cardiovascular disease after acute coronary syndromes and strokes, affecting 2 million individuals in the US each year. (Theodorou, Theodorou, & Kakitsubata, 2003) Although more commonly limited to the veins of the calf, lower extremity deep vein thrombosis is a very serious medical condition that can result in death or disability. DVT is a condition that happens when blood clots are present and forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It is possible to sometimes get DVT when sitting or lying down for long periods of time, such as surgical recovery or jobs that require you to be seated a majority of the time. When there is not enough movement within the extremity, the blood flow slows down and clots can be formed by the pooled blood. Disability may present itself because of pulmonary embolism or post-thrombotic syndrome. Once you’ve had this condition, the goal becomes to shrink the clot and prevent other clots from reoccurring or if at a severe state, try to salvage the affected limb. The aim of the treatment of DVT is to prevent its complications – pulmonary embolism, recurrent DVT, post-thrombotic syndrome, and death.” (Min, et al., 2016) …show more content…
By the ACR Appropriateness Criteria, Ultra-sonography of the lower extremity with Doppler is the highest rated. Followed by Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the lower extremity and pelvis with and without contrast. MRA is the primary modality for pelvic DVT and for thigh DVT if Ultrasound is nondiagnostic. Of the lowest rated is X-ray venography of the pelvis and lower extremity. X-ray venography is used primarily in conjunction with