How is a DVT treated?
This depends on the extent and severity of the DVT. Most DVT’s are small and are treated as an outpatient with support socks, a course of heparin injections and regular exercise. This treatment is designed to prevent the DVT from worsening and to assist the bodies normal mechanism that dissolves the clot that is already present. If the DVT is more extensive then it may be necessary to be admitted to hospital for bed rest, elevation of the affected leg, and an intravenous infusion of the heparin. Once the problem has settled then it is usual to require a course of anticoagulant tablets for 3 to 6 months to prevent a relapse. The most commonly used is a powerful drug called warfarin. Treatment with warfarin must be monitored carefully with regular blood tests to get the dose for the patient just right. Too much warfarin can lead to bleeding, not enough risks a further DVT. For very severe DVT where virtually all the veins are clotted up, the patient is very ill and at risk of limb loss.
