Health Tips - Blood/Lymphatic

Clotting in Veins Close to Skin May Be Associated With More Dangerous Deep-Vein Blood Clots.

About one-fourth of patients with superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) -- clotting in blood vessels close to the skin -- also may have the life-threatening condition deep vein thrombosis (DVT), according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Dermatology.

Different risk factors have been reported for SVT, many of which are the same as risk factors for DVT -- varicose veins, thrombophilia, use of oral contraceptives, trauma, malignancy or a period of immobility (e.g. long periods of air/ car travel).

All patients underwent colour-coded duplex sonography to confirm SVT and exclude or detect DVT. Laboratory tests included D-dimer levels. DVT was detected in 24% of patients with SVT and was usually asymptomatic.

DVT occurred in the same leg as SVT in 73% of the patients, in the other leg in 9%, and in both legs in 18%.

The calf muscle veins were most commonly involved," Barbara Binder, MD, Medical University of Graz, Austria wrote. "In all patients with deep vein thrombosis, the superficial vein thrombosis was located on the lower leg and the D-dimer findings were positive."

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