Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) takes place when a thrombus also known as blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg; it can cause swelling and redness or be asymptomatic. The cause of DVT can be found in certain medical conditions that affect the blood favouring the creation of blood cloths, it can occur after surgery, due to long time repose in bed, or because of other cause that block the free blood flow in main veins. The majority of pulmonary thromboembolism results from blood clots that break loose from the main veins of lower limb affected with DVT and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. The blockage of the blood flow there cause a pulmonary embolism (PE) accounting for 30% mortality rate within one month, is usually the main and most serious complication associated with DVT.
Traditionally, a DVT was immediately treated using blood-thinning drugs. However, anticoagulants do not actively dissolve a blood clot; they just prevent new clots from forming. The body will sometimes dissolve a clot, eventually, but often the vein becomes damaged.
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