Venous Diseases
Venous Thrombosis
Medical Emergency
In case of a medical emergency, call 112 (the European emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency department.
Written byTriantafyllos Giannakopoulos MD, PhD, FEBVS, FACSMedically reviewed: 27 July 2026
Understanding, Diagnosis and Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis and Its Consequences
While superficial veins travel superficially beneath the skin of the limbs, deep veins ascend deeper and between the muscles. They too have valves and are responsible for returning 85% of blood from the lower limbs.
Blood stasis, vein injury and blood clotting disorders can lead to thrombosis (blood becomes solid — a clot).
Superficial thrombosis is usually visible on the surface of the leg as a red painful line.
Blood Stasis
Circulatory stagnation can lead to clot formation.
Vein Injury
Traumatic or pathological damage to the venous wall.
Coagulation Disorders
Increased tendency of blood to clot and form thrombi.
What is Thrombosis and how does it affect your health
Dangerous Condition
Deep vein thrombosis causes painful edema (swelling) usually in one leg and if not treated promptly can lead to thrombosis of the lung arteries as well.
Pulmonary Embolism
Either by extension of the original clot or by detachment of a portion of the original clot and its migration to the pulmonary circulation, causing pulmonary embolism that can be life-threatening.
Early diagnosis is critical
- Immediate therapeutic intervention
- Prevention of serious complications
Deep vein thrombosis in the leg
Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Anticoagulant therapy
Anticoagulant Therapy
In every case of thrombosis, the patient receives anticoagulant therapy either in the form of Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) injections or in oral tablet form.
Factors determining treatment:
The role of anticoagulant therapy is not to dissolve the clot but to prevent its extension, leading to its stabilization and shrinkage over time.
Inferior Vena Cava Filter
In cases of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs where the patient cannot receive anticoagulant therapy, the Vascular Surgeon places a temporary metal filter in the inferior vena cava (which connects the leg veins to the lungs) to prevent clot fragments from moving toward the lungs and causing life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Long-term Consequences of Thrombosis
Post-thrombotic Syndrome
The result of thrombosis is permanent damage & dysfunction of the valves and consequently chronic venous insufficiency.
Ulcers
Ulcers appear that heal with difficulty.
Color Change
The skin becomes dark and changes texture.
Skin Hardening
The skin of the shins hardens in later stages.
Early Diagnosis is Critical
The earlier the thrombosis is diagnosed, the lower the risk to life & the sooner measures will be taken to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome.
Thrombolysis
Conservative therapy
Endoluminal improvement
References
- Kakkos SK, et al. ESVS 2021 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Venous Thrombosis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 61(1):9–82 (2021) — doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2020.09.023
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In case of a medical emergency, call 112 (the European emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency department.