Calf vein thrombosis

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In medicine, calf vein thrombosis is deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the infrapopliteal calf veins.[1][2] These veins are also called distal calf veins. The trifurcation of the popliteal vein is about 10 cm distal from the mid-patella.[3] Distal DVTs are more common than proximal DVTs in studies using venography[2] but not in studies using ultrasonography[4]. Many distal DVTs are assymptomatic.[5]

Diagnosis

The d-dimer test may not reliably detect thromboses of the calf vein with sensitivity of about 65%.[2]

Treatment

For patients with symptomatic calf-vein thrombosis, compression stockings along with anticoagulation may prevent recurrences.[6]

Prognosis

While unusual, case reports exist of pulmonary embolism from calf vein thrombosis.[7]

References

  1. Mattos MA, Melendres G, Sumner DS, et al (November 1996). "Prevalence and distribution of calf vein thrombosis in patients with symptomatic deep venous thrombosis: a color-flow duplex study". J. Vasc. Surg. 24 (5): 738–44. PMID 8918317[e]
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jennersjö CM, Fagerberg IH, Karlander SG, Lindahl TL (October 2005). "Normal D-dimer concentration is a common finding in symptomatic outpatients with distal deep vein thrombosis". Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis 16 (7): 517–23. PMID 16175012[e]
  3. Birdwell BG, Raskob GE, Whitsett TL, et al (January 1998). "The clinical validity of normal compression ultrasonography in outpatients suspected of having deep venous thrombosis". Ann. Intern. Med. 128 (1): 1–7. PMID 9424975[e]
  4. Stevens SM, Elliott CG, Chan KJ, Egger MJ, Ahmed KM (June 2004). "Withholding anticoagulation after a negative result on duplex ultrasonography for suspected symptomatic deep venous thrombosis". Ann. Intern. Med. 140 (12): 985–91. PMID 15197015[e]
  5. Kakkar VV, Howe CT, Flanc C, Clarke MB (August 1969). "Natural history of postoperative deep-vein thrombosis". Lancet 2 (7614): 230–2. PMID 4184105[e]
  6. Lagerstedt CI, Olsson CG, Fagher BO, Oqvist BW, Albrechtsson U (September 1985). "Need for long-term anticoagulant treatment in symptomatic calf-vein thrombosis". Lancet 2 (8454): 515–8. PMID 2863541[e]
  7. Loudon JR (October 1976). "Fatal embolism from calf-vein thrombosis". Lancet 2 (7988): 742–3. PMID 61423[e]