Deep Vein Thrombosis Dictionary

thrombin inhibitors: Medicines that interfere with the clotting process. They are used to treat some types of clots and for patients who can’t take heparin.

thrombophlebitis: The more general class of pathologies of this kind. Thrombophlebitis is phlebitis (vein inflammation) related to a blood clot or thrombus.

thrombophlebitis migrans: Thrombophlebitis that occurs at different locations.

thrombolytics: Medicines given to quickly dissolve a blood clot. They are used to treat large clots that cause severe symptoms. Because thrombolytics can cause sudden bleeding, they are used only in life-threatening situations.

thrombus (blood clot): Within a deep vein, commonly in the thigh or calf.

ultrasonography: An ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize muscles and internal organs, their size, structures and possible pathologies or lesions.

varicose veins: Dilated (widened) tortuous (twisting) veins, usually involving a superficial vein in the leg.

vena cava filter: A special metal filter can protect you from a pulmonary embolism if you are unable to take anticoagulants. The vena cava is a large vein in your abdomen.

venography: Uses a radiographic material injected into a vein on the top of the foot. The material mixes with blood and flows toward the heart. An X-ray of the leg and pelvis will then show the calf and thigh veins and reveal any blockages.

venous thrombectomy: Surgery to remove a deep vein clot.

venous hypertension: Pulmonary venous hypertension that results from the damming back of blood in the pulmonary veins.