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Calf deep venous thrombosis should be treated with anticoagulation
Steven R Deitcher1, Joseph A Caprini
1Section of Hematology and Coagulation Medicine, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk R-35, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. deitchs@ccf.org
The Medical Clinics of North America
|December 19, 2003
Summary
A 50-year-old man was diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in his calf. He was treated with anticoagulation, a standard therapy for DVT.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a significant cause of morbidity.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications such as pulmonary embolism (PE).
Observation:
- A 50-year-old male with hypertension presented with acute right calf swelling and pain.
- Physical examination revealed localized signs of inflammation: tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling.
- The patient was ambulatory and denied any bleeding history or symptoms of PE.
Findings:
- Venous duplex ultrasound confirmed a thrombosis in the right soleal vein, indicative of calf DVT.
- The absence of bleeding history and PE symptoms influenced the treatment decision.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of ultrasound in diagnosing calf DVT.
- Anticoagulation is an effective treatment for isolated calf DVT in patients without contraindications.
- Early anticoagulation can reduce the risk of DVT propagation and PE.