Economy Class Syndrome - Deep Venous Thrombosis

What are the treatments for the condition?

Treatment of a deep venous thrombosis focuses on preventing a pulmonary embolus. Bed rest and elevating the leg can help reduce the swelling and pain. The person is often given an injection of a blood-thinning medicine. The injection may be given through an IV or under the skin. These blood-thinning medicines, such as heparin and enoxaparin, help prevent further growth of the blood clot. After a few days of blood-thinning medicines by injection, the person can be switched to pills. Warfarin is the most common blood-thinning pill.

In some people, blood-thinning medicines cannot be used. For example, a person may have a high risk of bleeding, a side effect of thinning the blood. In these cases, a surgical procedure can be done. This involves inserting a filter in one of the major veins of the body that leads to the heart. This filter catches any clots that break off so they cannot get into the lungs and cause death.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Heparin can cause bleeding and lower blood platelet counts, called thrombocytopenia. Warfarin can also cause bleeding, which in rare cases is fatal. Warfarin interferes with many other medicines. Surgery can cause bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction to anesthesia.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Most patients with a deep venous thrombosis will recover fully. When DVT is in the pelvis or upper leg, warfarin is usually taken for at least 3 to 6 months. DVT in the veins of the calf is usually treated with warfarin for at least 6 weeks.

In people who develop a second DVT, warfarin treatment is continued for life. This long-term therapy is also used in people with underlying causes of DVT, such as cancer or a condition referred to as thick blood.

How is the condition monitored?

People with a history of deep venous thrombosis are told to avoid prolonged periods of immobility. They also need to watch for the common symptoms of leg pain and swelling. Individuals on blood-thinning medicines will have periodic blood tests to monitor the thickness of their blood. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.