Language: English
Health News
- London manifesto backs radical new powers for boroughs
Published 01 February 2010 - Well off use more drugs than the jobless
Published 01 February 2010 - Hospital warning after winter bug outbreak
Published 01 February 2010 - Government targets cigarette packaging
Published 01 February 2010
Please note that these news articles link to external websites.
Your Vote
There is currently no poll for this section.
Find Out More About
This service contains links to third party websites. EPG Patient Direct is not in a position to verify this information and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the content contained.
Thrombosis
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cardiovascular disease after coronary disease and stroke. The clinical diagnosis of VTE is unreliable and VTE is often silent. Only about half the patients suspected of having deep vein thrombosis (DVT) actually have the disease. Unrecognised and untreated VTE may lead to harmful consequences.
Accurate diagnosis of DVT is indispensable. In daily practice, it is generally based on the use of ultrasonography, a non-invasive, rapid and cost-effective method. Untreated DVT can result in fatal PE, whereas anticoagulation in the absence of thrombosis is not reasonable. For patients with a high clinical suspicion of DVT or PE, it is recommended to initiate treatment with anticoagulants as soon as possible while awaiting the outcome of diagnostic tests.
Clinical symptoms and signs of DVT are unreliable. DVT may present with pain, erythema, tenderness, and swelling of the affected limb. Furthermore, on examination, a palpable cord (reflecting a thrombosedvein), warmth, ipsilateral oedema, or superficial venous dilation may be observed. However, in most instances, DVT is clinically silent (or asymptomatic).
There are different antithrombotic therapeutic options available for DVT patients, which include:
- Unfractionated Heparins
- Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWH)
- Anti Xa Inhibitor
Useful links:
- ESC: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) represents nearly 55,000 cardiology professionals across Europe and the Mediterranean. The ESC comprises 5 Associations, 5 Councils, 19 Working Groups and 50 National Cardiac Societies. It also includes the distinguished community of ESC Fellows and Nurse Fellows.
Source: EPG guide- www.epgonline.org/thrombosis/thrombosis.cfm
Last Updated 20-08-2009