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How is Deep-Vein Thrombosis Diagnosed?
Physician Strategies for Detecting DVT
Physicians use several technologies to diagnose DVT.
- Doppler ultrasonography is a test using ultrasound (sound waves that echo off the body) to locate a clot in the vein
- D-dimer blood test is used to determine if the body is showing chemical signals of a clot
- X-ray of a vein called venography, is a test involving x-ray of a vein after a dye has been injected to make the vein visible on the x-ray
Why Be Sure?
Because DVT is a complicated condition, diagnosis is difficult.
Patience and persistence on the individual’s part are required to make
sure all concerns are addressed and the best remedy is provided.
While blood-thinning medications effectively prevent a blood clot from growing or recurring,
there is an increased risk of major bleeding and other complications. Therefore, before ordering these treatments,
healthcare providers must be confident that the person either has a DVT or is at high risk of developing one.
What Is Involved in Exams?
Detection of DVT involves:
- Doing a physical examination
- Getting a medical history
The healthcare provider will examine the leg or arm in question to look for swelling, redness and other signs.
The doctor will measure the circumference (thickness) of the affected leg or arm and compare it to the unaffected
leg or arm. The doctor will examine the vein, looking for tenderness. However, neither of these hands-on exams can
be used to absolutely diagnose DVT. The healthcare provider must rule out other causes for the swelling,
such as cellulites (swelling of tissue under the skin, often caused by an infection), a torn muscle, arthritis or a broken bone.
For the medical history, the doctor will ask a number of questions to
determine the chances for DVT, including family history,
prior DVT, recent travel or use of hormones.
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