DVT; Blood clot in the legs; Thromboembolism; Post-phlebitic syndrome; Post-thrombotic syndrome

Your doctor will give you medicine to thin your blood (called an anticoagulant). This will keep more clots from forming or old ones from getting bigger. These drugs cannot dissolve existing clots.

Heparin is usually the first drug given.

• If heparin is given through a vein (IV), you must stay in the hospital.
• Newer forms of heparin can be given by injection once or twice a day. You may not need to stay in the hospital as long, or at all, if you are prescribed this newer form of heparin.

A drug called warfarin (Coumadin) is usually started along with heparin.

• Warfarin is taken by mouth. It takes several days to fully work.
• Heparin is not stopped until the warfarin has been at the right dose for at least 2 days.
• You will most likely take warfarin at least 3 months. Some people must take it for the rest of their lives, depending on their risk for another clot.

When you are taking warfarin, you are more likely to bleed, even from activities you have always done.

Changing how you take your warfarin, taking certain medicines, and eating certain foods can change the way the warfarin works in your body. If this happens, you may be more likely to form a clot or have bleeding problems. Never stop taking your medicine or change the dose without talking to your doctor.

If you are taking warfarin:

• Take the medicine just the way your doctor prescribed it
• Ask the doctor what to do if you miss a dose
• You will need to get blood tests often to make sure you are taking the right dose

You will be given a pressure stocking to wear on your leg or legs. A pressure stocking improves blood flow in your legs, and reduce your risk for blood clots. It is important to wear these every day.

In rare cases, surgery may be needed if medicines do not work. Surgery may involve:

• Placement of a filter in the body's largest vein to prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs
• Removal of a large blood clot from the vein or injection of clot-busting medicines

Images

Deep venous thrombosis, ileofemoral

Deep veins

Deep veins

Venous blood clot

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Review Date: 02/13/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)