Should I be concerned about a blood clot in my gastronemius vein? Is this considered a deep vein thrombosis? Is this something I should be worried about? What should be done about it?
Blood clot or thrombus in the gastrocnemius vein is considered a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a doctor should follow up on you and do Venous Duplex ultrasound studies to make sure clot does not extend to the popliteal vein or further. Depending on how acute the blood clot is, anticoagulation therapy might be given as well to help your body deal with clot formation. The risk of not properly taking care of a situation like this could put you at risk of a serious or fatal complication like pulmonary embolism. I recommend you see a doctor to follow up and help you with your care for the current situation.
All the best!
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Calf vein thromboses are considered deep vein clots.
The current management involves compression, ambulation, aspirin, and a repeat ultrasound within two weeks if provoked, e.g. trigger by surgery, prolonged immobilization, etc. If unprovoked, calf vein blood clots can extent to involve larger veins and lead to a life threatening condition known as pulmonary embolus. Unprovoked clots are often treated with anticoagulants and in many instances for the same duration or until an underlying cause is stabilized.
I would recommend seeing a vein specialist who is familiar with current guidelines for managing blood clots. Sadly, the majority of primary care physicians are not aware of the current guidelines so a vein specialist is strongly recommended.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The gastrocnemius vein is considered a deep muscular vein of the calf. The treatment (no treatment, anti-coagulation, follow up) of gastrocnemius vein thrombus is debated by physicians and often the decision to treat is based on clinical history, findings and physician judgement. Gastrocnemius vein thrombus has a low incidence of progressing to DVT (deep venous thrombosis) in the popliteal vein which is universally treated with anticoagulation. Many physicians will perform a follow up ultrasound of the lower extremity to ensure the thrombus has not progressed. We recommend you follow closely with your physician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, it is serious and you should receive urgent treatment. Anticoagulation and compression therapy are standard.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The gastrocnemius vein is considered a "deep vein:" therefore, the presence of a blood clot in this vessel is technically considered a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. That said, if you were to have a DVT, this is one of the vessels that you would want to find it in. The gastrocnemius vein is considered a small deep vein as opposed to the common femoral vein, which is definitely one of your larger deep veins. Unlike in the case of the common femoral or some other larger deep vein, most physicians would elect not to treat a DVT in the gastrocnemius vein unless there is progression of the blood clot into the popliteal vein, which the gastrocnemius normally empties into. Fortunately, most blood clots in the gastrocnemius appear to resolve spontaneously and do not normally require anticoagulation treatment. Close monitoring, however, is warranted until the clot can be shown to have stabilized.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The gastroc veins are considered part of the deep system, and so a clot in a gastroc vein is a DVT. Various factors must be taken into consideration
when deciding the level of concern, including its proximity to a perforator vein, the reason it occurred (trauma, post-op, post-treatment, prior history of DVT, patient age, presence of malignancy). A vein specialist can advise you how to proceed given your particular situation.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
YES a blood clot in a gastrocnemius vein is considered a DVT or deep vein thrombosis. It can be serious if it extends or grows . However with prompt
treatment the risk of any serious medical complication is quite small.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You need a repeat study in five days to rule out propagation.
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Question: Is a blood clot in a gastronemius vein considered a DVT? Is it
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Question Detail: Should I be concerned about a blood clot in my gastronemius
vein? Is this considered a deep vein thrombosis? Is this something I should
be worried about? What should be done about it?
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Published on Jul 11, 2012
The gastrocnemius vein is a deep vein and a clot in it is considered a DVT. There are two options to treat this: ASA and repeat duplex scan in 2 weeks or oral anticoagulation for 6 weeks to 3 months. I prefer to use oral anticoagulation and follow up with duplex scans to determine how long to treat.
Published on Jul 11, 2012