Deep vein thrombosis overview
Editor(s)-In-Chief: The APEX Trial Investigators, C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [3]; Kashish Goel, M.D.; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Justine Cadet
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Overview
Deep vein thrombosis (also known as deep venous thrombosis or DVT and colloquially referred to as economy class syndrome) is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein.
DVT of the lower extremity is subdivided into two categories:
- Distal (calf) vein thrombosis: Confined to the deep calf veins
- Proximal vein thrombosis: Occur in the legs, and involve the popliteal, femoral or iliac veins
The risk is significantly increased if the thrombus embolizes to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism. Occasionally, veins in the arm are also affected (known as Paget-Schrötter disease). Upper extremity DVT is less common but also may lead to PE, especially in the presence of a venous catheter[1]. Thrombophlebitis is swelling (inflammation) of a vein caused by a blood clot.