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5 points about DVT

Here are 5 points to remember about Deep Vein thrombosis (DVT):

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  1. Pocus: Three-point compression ultrasound (common femoral, proximal femoral, and popliteal veins), is increasingly used for rapid DVT diagnosis. Reported sensitivities and specificities are over 90% for ED-performed POCUS.

  2. Pocus findings:  Focus on a non-compressible vein under direct probe pressure. Look also for visible thrombus (acute thrombi are often less echogenic and softer), loss of venous flow (a normal pattern is spontaneous, phasic flow with respiration and the flow augments with distal compression) and dilated veins/collateral vessels. 

  3. Use DOACS: DOACs, apixaban (10 mg twice daily for 7 days, then 5 mg twice daily) or rivaroxaban (15 mg twice daily for 21 days, then 20 mg daily), are preferred for initial and long-term DVT treatment for stable patients. They offer lower bleeding risk compared to warfarin.

  4. Low dose DOAC long term: For patients requiring extended-phase anticoagulation, consider low dose DOAC after 3 to 6 months (apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily or rivaroxaban 10 mg daily)

  5. Isolated Calf DVT: For isolated calf thrombosis, anticoagulation is not always required. Anticoagulate only for severe symptoms or high-risk features (e.g., active cancer, prior DVT).

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