Deep Vein Thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism

Question 1

What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Answer 1

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs.

Question 2

What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

Answer 2

When a blood clot (usually from a DVT) travels to the lungs and blocks a blood vessel.

Question 3

How does DVT usually present (symptoms)?

Answer 3

Swelling in one leg

Pain or tenderness (especially in the calf)

Warmth and redness over the vein

Question 4

How does PE usually present (symptoms)?

Answer 4

Sudden shortness of breath

Chest pain (worse with breathing)

Fast heartbeat

Cough (sometimes with blood)

Feeling faint or dizzy

Question 5

What causes DVT and PE?

Answer 5

Immobility (e.g., after surgery or long travel)

Recent surgery

Cancer

Pregnancy

Smoking

Birth control pills or HRT

Blood clotting disorders

Previous DVT/PE

Question 6

How is DVT investigated (tests)?

Answer 6

Doppler ultrasound: Looks for clots in leg veins

D-dimer test: A blood test that checks for clot breakdown products

Venography (rare): A special X-ray with dye

Question 7

How is PE investigated (tests)?

Answer 7

CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA): Most common scan to see lung blood vessels

Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan: Measures air and blood flow in lungs

D-dimer test: Helps rule out PE in low-risk patients

ECG, chest X-ray, and blood gases: Supportive tests, not specific

Question 8

How is DVT treated?

Answer 8

Anticoagulants (blood thinners): e.g., heparin, warfarin, DOACs (like apixaban)

Compression stockings to reduce swelling

Leg elevation and movement to improve blood flow

Question 9

How is PE treated?

Answer 9

Anticoagulants (same as DVT)

Thrombolytics (clot-busting drugs) for severe cases

Oxygen and supportive care

Surgery or catheter treatment to remove large clots (rare)

IVC filter (in vena cava) if anticoagulants can’t be used

Question 10

How long is treatment needed for DVT or PE?

Answer 10

Usually 3–6 months

Longer if there’s a high risk of another clot (e.g., cancer or unprovoked clots)

Question 11

What can help prevent DVT and PE?

Answer 11

Moving around regularly on long trips

Staying hydrated

Blood thinners after surgery or in hospital

Compression stockings

Avoiding smoking and obesity

Question 12

What’s the difference between a thrombosis and an embolism?

Answer 12

Thrombosis: A clot that forms in a blood vessel

Embolism: A clot (or part of one) that travels and blocks another vessel