Deep Vein Thrombosis
Date issued: June 2022
Review date: June 2024
Ref C-503/PP/LDT/Deep Vein Thrombosis
PDF: Deep Vein Thrombosis final July 2022.pdf [pdf] 880KB
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Your doctor thinks you have a DVT in your leg. A DVT is a blood clot. You may have:
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Felt a throbbing or cramping pain
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Seen a swelling in your leg
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Had warm skin around where the clot is
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Seen swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them
DVTs are dangerous so you have been referred to the DVT Service.
The DVT Service
The DVT Service is run by nurses who are trained in the investigation and treatment of DVTs.
Investigation means finding out:
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If you have an DVT
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Whereabouts in your leg the DVT is
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Working out the best way to treat it
The DVT Clinic is held in the Planned Investigation Unit or on the Medical Assessment Unit depending on the day and time.
Investigations
When you come into the hospital one of the nurses will ask you lots of questions. This is to work out if you do have a DVT.
You will have a special blood test to see if you have a clot. Please tell the nurse if you have a needle phobia; you can ask for Ametop (magic) cream which can numb the area.
There will be up to a 2 hour wait to get the results from your blood test. If the test is negative (you don’t have a DVT) you can go home.
If the test is positive (you may have a DVT) you will need to have a special ultrasound to make sure. An appointment will be made for you
Whilst you wait for your ultrasound you will need to have a daily injection. The contents of this injection will stop your blood clot from getting any bigger.
You will need to have this injection in your tummy. It will feel like an
insect sting and you may get a small bruise. You will need to come into hospital each day for this injection.
Ultrasound scan investigation
It is very important that you have your scan when the appointment has been made. You will get your results on the same day as your scan.
If the scan comes back negative the injections will stop. You will be given an appointment 7-10 days later to come in for another scan to make sure you definitely do not have a DVT.
If your scan comes back positive
If your scan comes back positive you do have a DVT in your leg. You will need to continue with the daily injections until you have had 5 doses.
If you need any more injections after this your nurse will talk to you about it.
You will be given a tablet called warfarin to take. This stops further blood clots from forming.
Whilst you are on warfarin you will need to have daily blood tests so the nurses can check you are on the right dose (amount of Warfarin).
You will be given a yellow book. You need to bring this to every appointment. The nurses will fill it in for you.
After care
If you do have a DVT you may see a small swelling in your leg. The veins in your leg swelled up because of the blood clot.
It is important to look after your leg so the veins can recover.
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Avoid standing for long periods of time. Keep moving around if you cannot sit down.
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Put your feet up when sitting down. Put your legs on pillows or cushions to keep them up high.
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Take lots of gentle exercise; nothing that gets you hot and sweaty. For example: a walk or swim
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If you are given support stockings please wear them
Important points to remember
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Try to take your Warfarin at the same time every day
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Tell the nurse about any other medication you may be taking
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Remember to bring your yellow book to the hospital each day
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If you see a doctor or dentist for treatment tell them you are taking Warfarin
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You must be careful not to drink too much alcohol
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Do not drink cranberry juice as it can affect your blood test results
