Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis complications like pulmonary embolism affect up to 900,000 Americans annually. At Apex Endovascular in Fort Collins, Colorado, experienced board-certified interventional vascular specialist Shawn Ahmed, MD, PhD, provides advanced treatments for deep vein thrombosis in a safe, comfortable, and affordable outpatient surgery center. Book your appointment online or call the office today.

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a deep leg vein. Deep vein thrombosis can be life-threatening because the blood clot can break free and travel upwards, sticking in the lungs where it hinders blood flow, creating a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

What are the signs of deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis can cause symptoms that usually start in the calf area, like:

• Pain
• Cramping
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration
• Unusual warmth

A pulmonary embolism can cause sudden-onset shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and other symptoms. A pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency. Call 911 right away.

Who is at risk for deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis most often affects people over 60 but can occur at any age. Some things that can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis are:

• Sitting for prolonged periods
• Extended periods of inactivity, like bed rest after major surgery
• Conditions that cause vein narrowing, like May-Thurner’s syndrome
• Carrying extra weight
• Recent pregnancy or childbirth
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Smoking
• Some cancers
• Heart failure
• Vein injury
• Vein surgery
• Supplemental hormones (birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy)

Other things might increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis as well. Living a healthy lifestyle can help control many of these things. Treating new symptoms as soon as they appear is essential to preventing deep vein thrombosis and its complications.

How is deep vein thrombosis treated?

The first-line treatment for deep vein thrombosis is anticoagulants (oral blood thinners). These medications prevent the clot from growing as your body breaks it down.

Most people respond to blood thinners, but their success depends on many things, including the site of the clot, your risk factors, and how your body handles the medication.

If a clot is large, it can cause significant blood flow problems and disruptive symptoms. Your body might struggle to entirely eliminate the clot, leading to vein scarring and, potentially, ongoing leg swelling and pain (post-thrombotic syndrome).

In such cases, Dr. Ahmed will recommend a minimally invasive procedure to remove the blood clot. He uses the most innovative techniques to remove blood clots in the state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center at Apex Endovascular.

If you have leg pain and swelling, don’t wait for a complication like a pulmonary embolism to happen. Call Apex Endovascular today or click on the online scheduler to make your appointment.