Speaking fluent DVT (Deep vein thrombosis)

Learn the jargon, feel empowered

Why learn to speak DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein.?

Speaking the DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein. medical language can help you feel more confident about your treatment and condition. You may have noticed that doctors and nurses have a tendency to speak in jargon, or alternatively may gloss over points that they feel are too “medical”. If you want to have a better understanding of what your doctor is saying and the ability to follow up with more detailed questions, then knowing the jargon can take you a long way.

You will also find that this skill is helpful if you decide to research your condition online. Knowing the jargon can help you narrow your search, identify more medically focused, academic papers to read, and it can even help you separate the experts from the non-experts online.

Useful terms

Anti Xa factor

A key mechanism in the clotting process that can be inhibited by a number of anticoagulation medications.

Anticoagulant

The technical term for a medicine that prolongs the time it takes for the blood to clot. Although commonly referred to as “blood thinners”, anticoagulants do not actually thin the blood.

Blood clot

The gel-like form that blood takes when it forms a plug, often as the result of an injury to the vessel wall. If this happens in a deep vein (like in the leg) then the clot can interrupt the normal flow of blood. (See also: ThrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”., EmbolusA piece of thrombus that has broken away from the main clot. & CoagulationA medical term for the clotting process, when blood changes from a liquid form to a thick clot with a gel-like consistency.)

Cancer Associated ThrombosisThrombosis refers to abnormal, life-threatening blood clots that form in the artery or vein. (CATCancer Associated Thrombosis (CAT) refers to blood clots (thrombosis) linked to / derived from cancer or cancer treatment.)

Term used for patients' whose blood clot, or thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”., was caused in part by their cancer or cancer treatment.

CoagulationA medical term for the clotting process, when blood changes from a liquid form to a thick clot with a gel-like consistency.

A medical term for the clotting process, when blood changes from a liquid form to a thick clot with a gel-like consistency.

CT Scan (Computerised Tomography)

A scan that allows your doctor to see your organs in a 2- dimensional image.

D-dimer blood test

A test that detects the breakdown products of a clot. A negative result means there is no evidence of a thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”.. A positive test requires further investigation.

Deep Vein ThrombosisThrombosis refers to abnormal, life-threatening blood clots that form in the artery or vein. (DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein.)

The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”., develops in a deep vein. (See also: ThrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”. & PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs.)

Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOACDirect oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a group of anticoagulants which are taken orally.)

One of several treatments for blood clots. Speak to your medical doctor on what treatment option is suited for you. 

EmbolusA piece of thrombus that has broken away from the main clot.

A piece of thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”. that has broken away from the main clot.

Impedance plethysmography

An ultrasound exam that can be performed on the legs in order to detect formation of a thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”.. It is non- invasive and performed by moving a hand-held device up and down along the legs.

International normalized radio (INR)

A test that indicates how your VKAVitamin K antagonists (VKA) inhibit vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for clotting of blood- thus when VKAs are administered, it takes longer before the blood coagulates. prescription is working and whether adjustments are needed. The target INR A test that indicates how your warfarin prescription is working and whether adjustments are needed. People with normally clotting blood, not receiving any treatment have an INR of approximately 1. The higher the INR- the longer it takes for your blood to clot. The most common INR target range for someone on warfarin treatment is between 2.0 and 3.0.range for VKAVitamin K antagonists (VKA) inhibit vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for clotting of blood- thus when VKAs are administered, it takes longer before the blood coagulates. therapy is between 2 and 3.

Low molecular weight heparin

One of several treatments for blood clots. Speak to your medical doctor on what treatment option is suited for you.  

Lung scan or Ventilation Perfusion Scan (VQ scan)

A test used to identify pulmonary embolism (PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs.). It allows doctors to examine air and blood flow in the lungs.

Plethysmography

See: Impedance plethysmography

Post thrombotic syndrome (PTSPost thrombotic syndrome (PTS): Describes a long-term effects that can follow from a Deep Vein Thrombosis.)

A term used to describe the long-term effects that can follow from a DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein.. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, itching or tingling, skin discolouration and leg ulcers.

Pulmonary angiogram

An X-ray image of the lung’s blood vessels that is used to detect a pulmonary embolism (PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs.). In this procedure, a special contrast dye is injected into blood vessels via the groin or arm. As the dye shows up in X- ray images, it allows practitioners to identify a PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs..

Pulmonary Embolism (PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs.)

The condition that describes when a thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”. (or piece of a thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”.) has travelled from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs. PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs. can be life threatening, so call an ambulance or  consult a physician immediately if you think you have one.

ThrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”.

If a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombusIf a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”.”.

Unfractionated Heparin (UFHUnfractionated heparin (UFH) is a mixture of molecules with variable molecular weights and biological activity. )

One of several treatments for blood clots. Speak to your medical doctor on what treatment option is suited for you.  

VenogramA less-common test that identifies blood clots in the leg by injecting a special dye into a vein on the foot. An X-ray is then used to identify if there is a clot.c

A less-common test that identifies blood clots in the leg by injecting a special dye into a vein on the foot. An X-ray is then used to identify if there is a clot.

Venous thromboembolism (VTEVenous Thrombo Embolism. The formation of blood clots in the vein. When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism or PE.)

The formation of blood clots in the vein. When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosisThrombosis refers to abnormal, life-threatening blood clots that form in the artery or vein. or DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein.. If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism or PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs.. DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein. and PEPulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs. are collectively referred to as VTEVenous Thrombo Embolism. The formation of blood clots in the vein. When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism or PE..

Vitamin K antagonists (VKAVitamin K antagonists (VKA) inhibit vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for clotting of blood- thus when VKAs are administered, it takes longer before the blood coagulates. )

An anticoagulant Type of medicine that prevents blood clotting (coagulation). Anticoagulants interrupt the clotting process to prevent a clot from growing larger or to reduce the chances of a new clot forming.that reduces clotting by inhibiting the body’s Vitamin K enzyme, which is essential for producing proteins that enable the clotting process.

 

MAT 50148 Last approved March 2022