Thrombophlebitis
(Phlebitis · Blood Clot)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Thrombophlebitis
To diagnose superficial thrombophlebitis, doctors will take a medical history (asking about symptoms) and do a physical examination. As well, an ultrasound of the suspected veins may be done. In most cases, a thorough physical exam will be enough to make the diagnosis.
For DVT, doctors look for signs of swelling and enlargement of the calf (due to swollen leg veins). A diagnosis of DVT is usually confirmed by imaging tests, which may include compression ultrasounds, duplex ultrasounds, an X-ray or CT scan using radiopaque dye (venogram), or with a Doppler ultrasound test. The venogram is rarely used because of the availability of ultrasounds. The ultrasound tests detect differences in echoes or sounds made by blood flow in the obstructed veins. Doppler ultrasounds and duplex ultrasounds can easily detect the presence of blood clots in deep veins. Blood tests may also be performed to check for certain substances (d-dimers) that are increased when a blood clot is present.
Treating and Preventing Thrombophlebitis
To relieve mild inflammation and discomfort in superficial thrombophlebitis, your doctor may suggest elevating the affected area and applying warm moist packs to it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time throughout the day. Pain medications or anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed. People with superficial thrombophlebitis should try to stay active (walk around). If the inflammation and symptoms last longer than a day or two, or if symptoms become worse, see a doctor as soon as possible. Compression stockings are highly recommended for people with thrombophlebitis of the leg veins.
In cases where the thrombophlebitis is due to an infection, treatment with antibiotics often takes care of the problem. In rare cases, when the antibiotics aren't enough to control the infection, surgical removal of the inflamed portion of the vein may be required.
Once a DVT has been diagnosed, doctors may prescribe blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications such as heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC's), fondaparinux, or warfarin.* These anticoagulant medications make the blood less likely to clot and help prevent new blood clots from forming.
For some people, blood thinning treatment is started in the hospital so you can be closely looked after; although the hospital stay is relatively short, around 3 to 4 days. Your family doctor can adjust the dose of medications without you going back to the hospital. When there aren't any complications, people with DVT can usually return to normal activity within 1 or 2 months. Blood thinning medications usually have to be taken anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on the cause of your blood clots. Today, a wide range of blood thinning medications are available and the decision of which to use rests with your doctor. Some of the newer medications do not require repeated blood tests to ensure that the blood thinning is taking place.
For some people, taking long-term anticoagulant therapy may be necessary to prevent new blood clots from forming. When medications cannot be used, a radiological procedure may be needed to either place a filter (an umbrella-like device) into a vein in the abdomen to prevent clots from travelling to the lungs or to remove or bypass the blood clot.
In some women, the use of certain types of oral contraceptives may increase the risk for forming blood clots. The risk is higher for women over 35 years of age who smoke or have a history of previous blood clots. If you take birth control pills and smoke, you should stop smoking to lower your risk for thrombophlebitis or DVT.
To help prevent clots, avoid long periods of immobility during long car trips or airplane flights. Try to walk around and stretch for a few minutes every hour or so. Elevate your legs above your heart level if possible, and if you have a history of blood clots, wear support stockings or socks (also called compression stockings), and drink plenty of fluids. Some people may be prescribed a low-molecular weight heparin to prevent blood clots during a long journey (e.g., airplane trip).
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Thrombophlebitis
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