What are venous blood clots?
Venous blood clots (also known as venous thromboembolism or VTE) can either take the form of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a deep vein that partially or totally blocks the flow of blood, or a pulmonary embolism (PE), a blood clot blocking a vessel in the lungs. Venous blood clots are difficult to diagnose as up to half of patients have either no symptoms or no specific symptoms. Consequently, preventing venous blood clots is the most economical and effective approach in current clinical practice.1 Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • Venous blood clots originate in deep veins, usually in the legs. • Two thirds of people with symptomatic venous blood clots have DVT alone that does not progress to a PE (see below).2 • DVT symptoms include pain and swelling in the legs. Even in the absence of PE, DVT may have serious consequences such as venous hypertension and ulceration, and an increased risk of clots recurring. Pulmonary embolism (PE) • A PE occurs when a DVT breaks loose and t
