Definition

Thrombophlebitis is swelling (inflammation) of a vein caused by a blood clot.

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

The following increase your chances for thrombophlebitis:

y y y

Being hospitalized for a major surgery or with a major illness Disorders that make you more likely to develop blood clots Sitting for a long period of time (such as on a long airplane trip)

There are two main types of thrombophlebitis:

y y

Deep venous thrombosis (affects deeper, larger veins) Superficial thrombophlebitis (affects veins near the skin surface)

Pictures & Images

temperature Deep venous thrombosis, iliofemoral

Symptoms & Signs

Venous blood clot

The following symptoms are often associated with thrombophlebitis:

y y y y

Inflammation (swelling) in the part of the body affected Pain in the part of the body affected Skin redness (not always present) Warmth and tenderness over the vein

Diagnosis & Tests

The health care provider can usually diagnose the condition based on how the affected area looks. You may need to have your pulse, blood pressure, temperature, skin condition, and circulation frequently checked to make sure you don't have complications. If the cause cannot be easily identified, one or more of the following tests may be done:

y y y

Blood coagulation studies Doppler ultrasound Venography

Treatment

In general, treatment may include support stockings and wraps to reduce discomfort as well as medications such as:
y y y y y

Analgesics (pain killers) Antibiotics (if infection is present) Anticoagulants (blood thinners) to prevent new clots from forming Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation Thrombolytics to dissolve an existing clot

You may be told to do the following:

y y y

Apply moist heat to reduce inflammation and pain Keep pressure off of the area to reduce pain and decrease the risk of further damage Raise the affected area to reduce swelling

Surgical removal, stripping, or bypass of the vein is rarely needed but may be recommended in some situations. For more specific recommendations, see the particular condition ( superficial thrombophlebitis or deep venous thrombosis).
Prognosis (Expectations)

Thrombophlebitis and other forms of phlebitis usually respond to prompt medical treatment.
Complications

Superficial thrombophlebitis rarely cause s complications. Complications of deep vein thrombosis include blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or chronic pain and swelling in the leg.
Calling Your Health Care Provi der

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of thrombophlebitis.

Call your health care provider promptly if thrombophlebitis symptoms do not improve with treatment, if symptoms get worse, or if new symptoms occur (such as an entire limb becoming pale, cold, or swollen).
Prevention

Routine changing of intravenous (IV) lines helps to prevent thrombophlebitis related to IVs. If you are taking a long car or plane trip, walk or stretch your legs once in a while and drink plenty of liquids. Wearing support hose may help. If you are hospitalized, your doctor may prescribe medicine to prevent deep venous thrombosis.
CARDIAC ARRHYTMIAS Definition

The body's cardiovascular, or circulatory, system is made of the heart, blood, and blood vessels (arteries and veins). Heart and vascular services refers to the branch of medicine that focuses on the cardiovascular system.
Information

The heart's main job is to pump oxygen -rich blood to the body. It normally does this 60 - 100 times a minute, 24 hours a day. The heart is made of four chambers, two on each side:
y y

The left atrium and right atrium are located in the upper part of the heart. They collect the blood as it enters the heart. The left and right ventricles are in the bottom part of the heart. They pump blood out of the heart.

Together, the arteries and veins are referred to as the vascular system. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins carry blood back to the heart. The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen, nutrients hormones, and other important substances to cells and organs in the body. It plays an important role in helping the body meet the demands of activity, exercise, and stress, and also helps maintain body temperature, among other things.

CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE Cardiovascular medicine refers to the branch of health care that specializes in the treatment of diseases or conditions dealing with the heart and vascular systems. Disorders may include:
y y y y y y y y y

Coronary artery disease, including angina and heart attack Abdominal aortic aneurysm Heart failure High blood pressure and high cholesterol Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) Congenital heart defects Heart valve problems Peripheral artery disease (PAD) Stroke

Physicians involved in the treatment of circulator or vascular diseases include:

y y y y

Cardiologists, doctors who have received extra training in the treatment of heart disorders Vascular surgeons, doctors who have received extra training in the surgical treatment of blood vessel disorde rs Cardiac and thoracic surgeons, doctors who have received extra training in the heart-related surgery and pacemaker implantation Primary care doctors

Other healthcare providers involved in the treatment of circulatory or vascular diseases include:
y y

Nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) who focus on heart and vascular diseases Nutritionists or dietitians

Imaging tests that may be done to diagnose, monitor, or treat diseases of the circulatory and vascular system include:
y y y y y y

Cardiac CT for calcium scoring Cardiac MRI Coronary angiography CT angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) Echocardiogram PET scan of the heart

y y y

Stress tests (many different types exist) Vascular ultrasound, such as carotid ultrasound Venous ultrasound of the arms and legs

SURGERIES AND INTERVENTIONS Minimally invasive endovascular or percutaneous procedures may be done to diagnose, monitor, or treat diseases of the heart and vascular system. In most of these types of procedures, a catheter is inserted t hrough the skin into a large blood vessel and used to access the area of concern. Such procedures usually do not require general anesthesia. Patients often do not need to stay in the hospital overnight, recover in one to three days and can usually return t o normal activities within a week. Such procedures include:
y y y

Ablation therapy to treat cardiac arrhythmias Angioplasty with or without stent placement Cardiac catheterization

Heart surgery may be needed to treat certain heart or blood vessel problems. This may include:
y y y y y

Open and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery Repair or replacement of heart valves Heart transplant Insertion of pacemakers and defibrillators Surgical treatment of congenital heart defects

Vascular surgery refers to procedures that are used to treat or diagnose a blockage in a blood vessel. Such procedures include:
y y y

Endarterectomies Arterial bypass grafts Repair of aneurysms of the aorta and its branches

Besides the aorta, procedures may treat arteries that supply the brain, kidneys, intestines, arms and legs. CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION Cardiac rehabilitation is therapy that is directed at preventing heart disease from getting worse. It is usually recommended after major heart -related events such as heart attack or cardiac surgery. It may include:

y y y y

Health screenings and wellness exams Cardiovascular risk assessments Nutrition and lifestyle counseling, including smoking cessation and diabetes education Supervised exercise