Treatments for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Anticoagulant Medications1-3

Anticoagulants are types of drugs that manipulate the blood coagulation process (the so-called plasmatic coagulation). They inhibit thrombus formation, meaning that they prevent blood clots from forming too easily. Anticoagulants generally include non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs), heparins and What are anticoagulants? Anticoagulants may play an important part in your DVT management, find out more about them here Read more vitamin K antagonists. All of these have different ways of working. Due to the pharmacological mode of action, the use of anticoagulants may be associated with an increased risk of occult or overt bleeding from any tissue or organ which may results in post haemorrhagic anaemia. The signs, symptoms and severity will vary according to the location (e.g. blood in urine, severe bruising) and degree or extent of the bleeding and/ or anaemia. Your doctor will work out which anticoagulant is right for you based on the indication and the presence of any other medical conditions. All licensed anticoagulants deliver a positive benefit risk profile. Although all anticoagulants can increase the risk of bleeding, strategies are available to reduce or stop bleeding.

Thrombolysis

Thrombolysis (also known as fibrinolytic treatment) is the administration of a drug (intravenous or directly into the affected vein through a catheter) which breaks up clots.4

Compression stockings

Compression stockings help prevent damage to leg tissue caused by an increase in pressure that occurs when a vein is blocked by a clot. The compression helps move excess fluid (swelling) back into the capillaries (the smallest of the blood vessels) and helps prevent too much fluid from leaking out of these little vessels.5
Stockings should be fitted by your doctor or pharmacist and should be worn every day. Compression stockings come in different sizes and different gradients depending on the size of your leg and the severity of the clot. They can be removed before going to bed, when resting and when your leg is raised. Compression stockings can be purchased from your local pharmacy.6

Surgery

a) Inferior vena cava (IVC) Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters may be used as an alternative to anticoagulants and compression stockings. IVCs are usually used only if anticoagulant treatment needs to be stopped or is not suitable. The procedure involves inserting a filter into a vein therefore preventing the large fragments that may break loose from clots, from lodging in your lungs.7

b) Surgical thrombectomy Surgical thrombectomy is a type of surgery that removes a blood clot from an artery or vein by making an incision into the blocked blood vessel and the clot is then removed.8