Patient guide
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): symptoms, causes and treatment options
DVT warning signs, who is at risk, why one-leg swelling needs same-day care, how blood thinners and catheter-directed clot removal are used, and what to do about a possible clot in the lungs.
Advantages over surgery at a glance
- One swollen legCheck the same day
- Pinhole clot removalCatheter, not open surgery
- 24x7 pathwayEmergency clot removal
- Blood thinnersStandard first treatment
- Follow-up careLowers the chance of another clot
Symptoms to take seriously
DVT usually affects one leg. Symptoms can be mild, and some people have none.
- Swelling of one leg, calf or ankle that appeared recently
- Pain, cramping or tenderness, often starting in the calf
- Warmth and redness of the skin over the area
- A visibly swollen leg compared with the other side
Who is at higher risk
Clots form when blood flow slows, the vessel wall is injured, or the blood clots more easily. Common triggers [2, 3]:
- Recent surgery, a fracture or a long hospital stay
- Long periods without moving, including long flights or bed rest
- Cancer and some cancer treatments
- Pregnancy and the weeks after delivery
- Hormone tablets such as combined contraceptives
- A personal or family history of clots
How DVT is diagnosed
A duplex ultrasound of the leg shows whether a clot is present and how far it extends. Blood tests and sometimes CT or MR venography help in selected cases. Cause matters too, because treatment duration depends on whether the clot had a clear trigger.
Treatment options
The right treatment depends on where the clot is, how extensive it is, and how unwell the leg is.
| Blood thinners | Catheter-directed clot removal | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Stops the clot from growing, the body clears it | Clot is removed or dissolved from inside the vein [1, 4] |
| Who it suits | Most people with DVT [2, 3] | Selected people with extensive or limb-threatening clots |
| Done through | Tablets or injections | A small puncture, a catheter and imaging guidance |
| Main aim | Prevent spread and lung clots | Relieve the blocked vein and lower the risk of long-term swelling |
Clot removal at Clinic Seven
Dr. Nagateja Bonala offers catheter-directed clot removal, including AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy, for DVT, with an emergency pathway available around the clock. Whether it is appropriate for you is decided on your scan, symptoms and bleeding risk, alongside blood-thinning therapy.
After a DVT
Some people develop long-term swelling, heaviness or skin changes in the leg called post-thrombotic syndrome. Compression, walking, weight management and follow-up care help. Move regularly on long journeys and keep hydrated to lower your chance of another clot.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the first sign of DVT?
- Often it is swelling and a dull ache or cramp in one calf. Swelling of one leg that appears over hours or days should be checked on the same day [1, 2].
- Can DVT be treated without surgery?
- Yes. Most DVT is treated with blood-thinning medicine, and catheter-directed procedures are done through a small puncture, not open surgery [1, 3].
- Is DVT an emergency?
- A suspected DVT needs same-day assessment. If you also have chest pain, a fast heartbeat or sudden breathlessness, go to an emergency department immediately because the clot may have travelled to the lungs.
- How long do I need blood thinners?
- Usually at least three months, and sometimes longer or indefinitely depending on the cause and your risk of another clot. Your doctor decides this [2, 3].
- Where can I get DVT treatment in Hyderabad?
- Clinic Seven in Moosapet, Kukatpally offers DVT assessment and catheter-directed clot removal under Dr. Nagateja Bonala.
References
- Society of Interventional Radiology. Deep venous disease and blood clots in the vein: patient information. Read the source
- NHLBI. Venous thromboembolism. Read the source
- Mayo Clinic. Deep vein thrombosis: diagnosis and treatment. Read the source
- Society of Interventional Radiology. Position statement: endovascular management of iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. Read the source
Want to discuss your options?
Speak with the Clinic Seven team.