Venous Embolism Quiz

Venous embolism is a condition where a venous clot travels from one location to another. Most commonly, this happens when a deep venous thrombosis (clot) develops in the larger veins of the leg, breaks off, and travels to the lungs (the clot is now called a pulmonary embolism). Causes of venous thrombosis include recent surgery, spinal cord injury or other reasons for immobility, hip or leg fractures or other trauma, cancers, heart failure, stroke, obesity, and inherited risk factors like gene mutations causing blood to clot more easily.

• Swelling or water retention on one side of the body

• History of pelvic surgery

• Affected area is warm to touch

• Skin problem of the legs, in the area between thigh and ankle

• Noisy breathing; e.g. wheezing, rattling

• Hands and feet are cold

• Calf pain

• Blood in saliva

Venous embolism requires immediate treatment and is treatable if discovered early. Anticoagulants (commonly called "blood thinners") are used to stop the venous embolus from growing bigger. Sometimes, special medications called thrombolytics are used to dissolve the clot. Management of the primary cause is required. Patients often continue taking anticoagulant pills for 3-6 months after diagnosis, but sometimes may need to be on these medications for the rest of their lives.