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Arkansas Children's Hospital
General Information 501-364-1100
Arkansas Children's Northwest
General Information 479-725-6800
Clots occur in veins when there is altered flow, damage to the vein wall, abnormalities of the blood's clotting factors, or a combination of the three. Clots that occur in the large veins connected directly to the heart are called deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
Symptoms can progress over a day or several days and may include:
Ultrasound is the first tool used to determine the location and extent of the affected veins. Additional imaging may be needed to identify the extent of the clot or the reasons for the clot.
Anticoagulation (blood thinners) is the first-line therapy for treating clots. If the clot is extensive and symptomatic, it is treated with thrombolysis (dissolution) or thrombectomy (removal).
Thrombolysis (dissolution of clot) and thrombectomy (removal of clot) can be performed to treat extensive deep venous thrombosis (clots).
Thrombosis occurs when clots form inside a blood vessel when they shouldn't. Clots in the arteries and veins can lead to serious complications.