Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep below the skin. It's most common in the large veins of the legs.

At UPMC, we take a team approach to quickly and accurately diagnose your DVT and create a treatment plan that's right for you.

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On this page

• What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
• What Are the Symptoms of DVT?
• How Do You Diagnose DVT?
• How Do You Treat DVT?

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that occurs in a vein within the body — most commonly in the large veins of the thigh or lower leg.

How serious is DVT?

DVT requires emergency treatment to reduce the risk of complications. That’s because newly formed blood clots can break loose and travel to the heart or lungs. When a clot blocks the blood flow to the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism that can be fatal.

How common is DVT?

DVT and pulmonary embolism affect about 1 in 1,000 adults in the U.S. each year.

What causes DVT?

Blood clots may form when something slows or changes the blood flow in your veins. A DVT may occur spontaneously or result from a prior condition or treatment, such as:

• Bed rest or sitting in one position for too long during car or plane travel.
• Cancer.
• Certain autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or other genetic defects in blood clotting.
• Surgery, most often affecting people who have had hip, knee, bariatric, or female pelvic surgery.
• Trauma, such as fractures in the pelvis or legs.
• Pregnancy.

What are DVT risk factors and complications?

DVT risk factors

DVTs are most common in people over age 60, but they can occur at any age.

Other factors that can increase your risk for DVT include:

• Cigarette smoking.
• Oral contraceptives.
• Hormone replacement therapy.
• Genetic predisposition to or family history of blood clots.
• Giving birth within the last six months.
• Obesity.

Complications of DVT

A DVT that goes unnoticed or untreated may lead to:

• Varicose veins around the blocked vein.
• Chronic swelling.
• Leg aching and pain (venous claudication).
• Skin breakdown with ulcers.

In severe cases, the blood clot can break loose and travel to your heart or lungs. When a clot blocks the blood flow to the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism that can be fatal.

How can I prevent DVT?

You may not be able to control some of your DVT risk factors, such as age, family history, or recent childbirth. However, preventing heart disease and chronic conditions can reduce the risk that you will develop DVT. You may be able to reduce your risk of developing DVT by:

• Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Avoiding smoking.
• Limiting alcoholic beverages.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of DVT?

DVT mainly affects the large veins in the lower leg and thigh. It almost always occurs on one side of the body.

What are the warning signs of deep vein thrombosis?

Symptoms of DVT include:

• New or constant swelling in the leg.
• New or unusual pain in the calf or thigh.
• Change in skin color (redness).
• Skin that feels warm to the touch.

Prolonged swelling may cause:

• Tenderness in existing varicose veins.
• New varicose vein patterns.
• Skin breakdown or ulcers in the leg.

When should I see a doctor about my DVT symptoms?

If you think you have DVT, you need immediate medical care to prevent complications. Contact your doctor to schedule an appointment right away.

If you have symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or a racing heart, go to your nearest hospital emergency room or dial 911.

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How Do You Diagnose DVT?

Your medical team will deliver quick and accurate DVT diagnosis, either during a scheduled office appointment or a visit to the emergency room or hospital for suspicion of a blood clot in your lungs.

What to expect during your visit

During your visit, your doctor will:

• Talk with you about your DVT symptoms.
• Review your medical history.
• Perform a physical exam.

Your doctor may order additional tests to confirm your DVT diagnosis.

Tests to diagnose DVT

Ultrasound is the most common test for diagnosing DVT. This noninvasive, painless scan uses sound waves to create pictures of the blood flowing through your veins.

Other diagnostic tests may include:

• D-dimer blood test — This test measures a substance that a blood clot releases when it breaks up.
• Computerized tomographic (CT) scan — This imaging test uses cross-sectional x-rays and a computer to create detailed 3D images.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — MRI uses a large magnetic field, radio waves, and computers to create detailed images of your veins.

DVT prognosis

Most patients will make a complete recovery after DVT treatment. However, some patients may develop a condition called post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). PTS occurs due to damage to the vein and causes lingering symptoms similar to those caused by DVT. You may need to take blood-thinning medications to reduce your risk of future blood clots.

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How Do You Treat DVT?

Vascular surgeons at UPMC have broad experience in advanced methods for treating DVT, including:

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications to treat DVT. You will need to take these medications for at least a few months after your diagnosis, and your doctor may recommend that you stay on them for the rest of your life.

Interventional treatment for DVT

Your doctor may recommend minimally invasive treatment using a catheter — a small, thin tube that is inserted into a blood vessel through a small incision and guided to the site of your blood clot. Catheter-based treatment options include:

• Thrombolysis — This procedure uses a catheter to deliver medication to break up a blood clot. Doctors perform thrombolysis in the hospital under careful monitoring.
• Vena cava (IVC) filters — IVC filters are small, metal devices positioned in the vena cava — near the renal (kidney) veins. They stop blood clots in the legs from traveling to the heart and lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
• Venous stenting — Stents (small tubes) in the vena cava or pelvic veins hold a thrombosed vein open and help relieve or prevent leg swelling. Vascular surgeons often perform venous stenting with thrombolysis — either right away or years after a DVT diagnosis.

Surgical treatment for DVT

In severe cases, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure called venous bypass to restore normal vein circulation. This happens most often after years of large deep vein clots.

How effective is treatment?

When delivered early, DVT treatment is effective for managing blood clots and reducing the risk of serious complications like pulmonary embolism.

What’s the survival rate of deep vein thrombosis?

When DVT is found early, most people make a complete recovery. However, the survival rate is lower for people who develop pulmonary embolism.

Can deep vein thrombosis be cured?

In most cases, DVT can be effectively treated. However, some people may experience lingering symptoms that require ongoing care.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.