Blood clots in the calf generally occur in one of the deep veins, and are known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. They are more likely to occur with damage to the inner lining of the veins, as during injury, surgery or inflammation. They also tend to occur when blood flow is sluggish, such as when a person is in bed or sitting for long periods of time. They can cause painful swelling of the leg, and may break off and cause a life-threatening clot in the lungs.
Anticoagulants
The two common anticoagulant drugs used for deep vein thromboses are heparin, an IV drug, and warfarin, a longer-acting drug in pill form. These drugs prevent blood clots from growing and new clots from forming, and allow the body to break down an existing clot in the leg. Treatment may continue for 3 to 6 months, or indefinitely if a DVT recurs.
Thromobolytic Drugs
Thrombolytic drugs are commonly known as "clot busters." They are given to quickly dissolve a blood clot, but only for large blood clots that cause severe symptoms. Thrombolytics can cause dangerous, sudden bleeding, so they tend to only be used under life-threatening circumstances.
Thrombectomy
A thrombectomy is a procedure to remove the blood clot from the vein. It can be undertaken radiographically or surgically. The radiographic procedure entails inserting contrast dye into the vein along with a catheter to define the boundaries of the clot. The catheter is advanced to the clot and used to pull it out of the vein. A surgical thrombectomy involves dissecting the overlying skin, opening the vein and removing the clot, then suturing the vein and skin back together.
Filter and Stockings
In cases when the DVT may recur or travel through the veins to the lung, an umbrella-shaped filter may be placed in a large vein to catch the blood clot before it gets to the lung. Other treatments include elevation of the leg to reduce swelling, and the use of compression stockings, which typically extend from the ankle to the thigh and also help reduce swelling in the legs.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What causes deep vein thrombosis?
- The Merck Manuals: Deep Vein Thrombosis
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: How is Deep Vein Thrombosis Treated
- Medscape: Role of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis: Open Surgical Thrombectomy for DVT
- Family Doctor: Deep Vein Thrombosis
