DVT
thrombus in deep veins of calf / hip
DVT RFs
VTE prophylaxis
DVT Px
DVT Wells Score
If 1 or less points - DVT unlikely, 2 or more - DVT likely
If DVT likely (2 or more) on Wells
USS <4hrs
- positive -> DVT Mx
- negative -> D dimer - if positive, stop interim anticoagulants, rpt US 1wk (negative - DVT unlikely)
If US not available <4hrs, D-dimer, start interim DOAC / LMWH, USS <24hrs
IF DVT unlikely (1 or less) on Wells
D-dimer
- positive -> USS <4hrs, or start anticoagulation and scan <24hrs
- negative - DVT unlikely
DVT Mx
Provoked VTE
- 3mo tx (3-6mo if active cancer)
Unprovoked VTE
- 6mo tx
- APl ABs, Ix for thrombophilias
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Intermittent claudication
- cramping, relieved by rest
Critical limb ischaemia
- claudication at rest, eg nocturnal
Acute limb ischaemia
- sudden decrease in limb ischaemia
Atherosclerosis RFs
PAD Px
Intermittent claudication
- aching / burning in legs after walking
- relieved by rest
- not at rest
Critical limb ischaemia
- rest pain
- worse at night
- hang foot off bed to relieve pain
- ulcers, gangrene
PAD Ix
PAD Mx
Medical
- atorvastatin 80mg
- clopidogrel
- Tx comorbidities
- consider naftidrofuryl oxalate
Surgical
- angioplasty +/- stent
- surgical bypass
- endarterectomy
- amputation
Acute limb ischaemia
sudden decrease in arterial perfusion to limb
factors suggesting thrombus
- pre-existing claudication
- reduced pulses in other limb
- vascular disease, eg MI, stroke, TIA
Embolus
- sudden onset pain
- no hx claudication
- embolus source, eg AF, recent MI
- no PAD
- proximal aneurysm, eg abdo / popliteal
Acute limb ischaemia Px
Acute limb ischaemia Ix
Acute limb ischaemia Mx
Vascular mx
- endovascular thrombolysis
- endovascular thrombectomy
- surgical embolectomy / thrombectomy
- angioplasty
- bypass surgery
- amputation
Varicose veins
Varicose veins RFs
Varicose veins Px
Cx
- skin changes - varicose eczema, haemosiderin, lipodermatosclerosis, atrophie blanche
- bleeding
- superficial thrombophlebitis
- venous ulceration
- DVT
Varicose veins Ix
Varicose veins Mx
Indications for secondary care referral
- severe sx, pain, discomfort
- previous bleed
- skin changes
- superficial thrombophlebitis
- active / healed venous leg ulcer
Secondary care tx
- endothermal ablation
- foam sclerotherapy
- surgery - ligation / stripping
Chronic venous insufficiency
Patho
- incompetent valves
- damage with age, immobility, obesity, prolonged standing, DVT
- varicose veins
- venous HTN
Chronic venous insufficiency Px