deep vein thrombosis

Last edited 05/2020 and last reviewed 09/2023

Deep vein thrombosis, a subset of venous thromboembolism (VTE), occurs in normal veins, usually the deep calf veins of the leg and propagates more proximally (1).

  • it may also affect other sites such as the upper limbs, intracranial and splanchnic veins (2)
  • anatomically, it can be divided as
    • proximal DVT
      • involves popliteal vein and proximal veins
      • around 80% of DVTs
    • distal DVT
      • involves  calf vein and distal veins (3)
  • the disease is often asymptomatic, but 1 per 1,000 people/year in the general population presents with clinical symptoms (2)

It is generally thought of as a complication of surgery or illness.

  • surveillance data have revealed that the absolute risk of DVT in general medical patients is 10%-20% while it increases to 40%-80% in patients having hip surgery, knee surgery, or major trauma (4)

However, a number of situations predispose an individual to a deep vein thrombosis, and are encapsulated in Virchow's Triad (blood hypercoagulability, endothelial damage and venous stasis) (4).

The natural history is one of gradual breakdown of the thrombus with recanalisation. Damage to the valves may produce deep venous incompetence.

DVT is a usual precursor of both fatal PE and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) (4).

Reference:

Related pages:

epidemiology

predisposing factors

risk factors and associated increased risk for development of venous thromboembolism in surgical patients

clinical features

investigations

diagnosis of DVT

differential diagnosis

management

complications

prophylaxis versus DVT

risk of recurrence of thromboembolism

thrombophilia screen or screening

cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE)

clinical probability of DVT

reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and air travel

deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the upper extremity

PE (pulmonary embolism)

venous thromboembolism