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Thrombus Vs. Dvt

Thrombus is the term used to describe a blood clot that forms in the heart or a blood vessel. When a thrombus forms in the deep veins of the body, it can trigger a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

  1. Thrombus

    • According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a thrombus forms when blood coagulates (thickens) from a liquid to solid state. In some circumstances, the blockage caused by a thrombus can significantly restrict the normal flow of blood and oxygen, leading to serious health complications.

    DVT

    • DVT most typically occurs in the legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Serious consequences of the syndrome include permanent damage to the affected veins and the development of an embolus--a thrombus that breaks loose and lodges elsewhere in the body.

    Pulmonary Embolism

    • When an embolus lodges in the lungs, it can seriously impede the body's oxygen supply, ultimately leading to heart failure. This potentially fatal condition is called a pulmonary embolism.

    DVT Risk Factors

    • The Mayo Clinic cites risk factors for DVT that include sitting for extended periods of time, cancer, pregnancy, smoking, obesity, family history and use of birth control pills.

    Significance

    • The Society of Interventional Radiology states that one in every 100 DVT patients dies from a pulmonary embolism.

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