Instructions:
As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format. Discuss the risks and symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and potential complications from DVT. What tests would you order to rule out DVT?
Solution
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Risks, Symptoms, and its Complications
Overview of DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood-related condition where a blood clot is formed in the deep veins of the body. Conventionally, most cases of DVT occur in the legs. As such, research suggests that this condition is primarily caused by immobility of the human body, This essay will review the possible risk factors and symptoms of DVT, its complications to the human body as well as its diagnosis.
Risk Factors of DVT
DVT is associated with some risk factors. First, Bevis and Smith (2016) suggest that there is a relationship between genetic inheritance and the easy blood clotting condition. As such people will tend to inherit, this condition from their parental genes. Second, having a protracted bed rest or paralysis can lead to DVT because when legs remain still for a longer time can increase the chances of developing blood clots. Third, research suggests that women who are pregnant have higher chances of developing DVT since pregnancy results to an increase in pressure in the veins in the pelvis and legs. Furthermore, Bevis and Smith (2016) outline that after six weeks of pregnancy; women are still at risk of developing DVT. Also, some factors are associated with the development of DVT such as surgery or injury to the veins, being obese, smoking, heart failure. Additionally, Blann (2015) suggest that some forms of cancer lead introduction of substances that accelerate blood clotting. Also, he suggests that age, per se, 60 years and over increases one’s risk DVT.
Symptoms of DVT
Somarouthu, Abbara, and Kalva (2010) articulate that the symptoms of DVT are related to Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Additionally, research entails that half the number of people who have the DVT condition experience its symptoms (Blann, 2015). A swelling along the vein in a leg of a patient, pain in the leg when an individual stands or walks, increased warmth in an area of the leg, and a discolored skin in the leg, are some of the common symptoms of DVT.
Complications Associated with DVT
Arguably, DVT comes with complications encompasses Pulmonary Embolism (PE), as mentioned earlier, and postphlebitic syndrome (post-thrombotic syndrome). PE is a fatal condition where blood clots block the vein that transports blood from the leg to the lungs. Alternatively, postphlebitic syndrome occurs after a development of DVT. As such, this syndrome reveals itself after deep vein thrombosis occurs and it is associated with symptoms such as swollen legs (edema), pain in legs, discoloration of the skin and skin sores. Somarouthu, Abbara, and Kalva, (2010) suggest that postphlebitic syndrome might not occur until years after DVT.
Diagnosis and Test of DVT
After
a careful medical history and physical examinations by the physicians on the
symptoms of DVT, some diagnoses can be used to detect the condition. As such,
the common diagnostic tests are ultrasound, blood test, venography, and CT or
MRI scanning. The best diagnostic tests that I can recommend for a patient are
venography and MRI scans. Venography entails injection of a contrast agent in a
vein in the ankle or foot. An x-ray is then performed to look for clots.
Additionally, MRI scanning provides a visual that depict the presence of clots
in parts of the body.
References
Bevis, P. M., & Smith, F. C. (2016). Deep vein thrombosis. Surgery (Oxford) , 34 (4), 159-164.
Blann, A. (2015). Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A Guide for Practitioners.Keswick, England: M&K Update Ltd.
Somarouthu, B., Abbara, S., & Kalva, S. P. (2010). Diagnosing deep vein thrombosis. Postgraduate medicine , 122 (2), 66-73.