Deep Vein Thrombosis Symptoms – A Likely Surgical Risk

Prior to undergoing surgery, here is a statistic that one should be aware of – Annually nearly 600000 people from the U.S. develop DVT or deep vein thrombosis symptoms and over 50000 face fatality due to its likely upshot, pulmonary embolism.

One needs to be aware of this crucial fact since surgery is one of the major risk factors in case of DVT, a condition wherein blood clot forms in the veins within the muscles. Legs are the mostly commonly affected body part. Blood clot could become detrimental to health in case it ruptures open within one of such deep veins and reach inside the lung blocking blood supply. This form of obstruction is known as pulmonary embolism and would prevent oxygen reaching the blood.

Surgery and DVT Risk

Blood clot formation could occur due to blood supply slowing down, some injury to the interiors of the vein or blood clotting too soon, all of which could occur during or post-surgical procedure.

Minor, brief operative procedures generally do not lead to DVT, however, lengthy operations, particularly those which need the patient to be anesthetized (general) and those procedures done on the lower body areas place a person at risk.

For instance, DVT is prevalently the reason behind urgent re-admission following joint replacement operation.

One needs to be aware of the following vital truths about DVT prior to undergoing surgery.

• Operative procedures conducted under the influence of general anaesthesia that involve keeping the person stationary on the surgery table for extended times might lead to the veins relaxing which allow blood pooling. Due to blood flow slowing down, there is greater likelihood of clot formation.
• Bone surgery (like the knee, hip) could emit matter (protein, fat types) inside the blood which spur clot formation.
• Harm to vein wall at the time of an operation or they could face compression due to inflamed tissues which surround the veins. These occurrences could promote blood clot development.
• Major operative procedures necessitating immobility or subsequent bed rest are far perilous since such inactiveness could slacken blood supply.
• DVT risk during or post-surgery could additionally augment because of factors not related to surgical procedure like old age, being obese or overweight, those who smoke, intake of estrogen-containing drugs, cancer patients or those with a past of blood clot formations.

How could physicians lower risk of deep vein thrombosis symptoms arising?

Physicians are well-aware of DVT as a likely risk factor of surgery and are ably prepped to tackle any complications. The physician must be informed about a personal or family history of blood clots who could then take the following pre-emptive measures to shield the person from developing deep vein thrombosis symptoms.

• Drugs
  
  Anticoagulant medicines or blood thinners, before or post-surgery could be taken by the patient subsequent to surgery till DVT risk has subsided. Such medications could be administered via intravenous route or orally. It is now general practice to offer a patient at elevated risk or undergoing a high risk surgery such drugs before, at the time of and following operative procedure.
• Pneumatic compression stockings
  
  These stockings aid in maintaining optimal blood supply in the lower extremities. Such specially created stockings are inflatable with an air-pump after which the air would move via them and squeeze blood backwards in the direction of the heart when the patient is in supine position.
• Exercising

  Patients are recommended getting up and walking as early as doable post-surgery. While bed-ridden, the feet could be pumped upwards and downwards and muscles (claves and thighs) could be flexed to avert blood clot formation

If you believe that you doctor’s mistreating has affected your heath contact Patient Lawyers for medical negligence information

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