DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is an important clinical condition accoun ting for 600,000 hospitalized patients in North America per year. Sign s and symptoms of DVT are nebulous and often absent. Pulmonary embolus is often a coexisting condition and is most often caused by DVT. Both require anticoagulation and possibly thrombolytic therapy. There is a long list of risk factors that predispose a patient to DVT including cancer, cardiac disease, and hereditary conditions. This article exami nes predisposing factors, diagnostic tools, treatment, and sequela of DVT.