{"id":1411,"date":"2024-12-10T11:37:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T08:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/?p=1411"},"modified":"2026-01-07T15:43:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T12:43:10","slug":"thromvos-stis-fleves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/thromvos-stis-fleves\/","title":{"rendered":"Clot in the veins"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u039f <strong>Clot <\/strong>clot is a solid mass of blood cells that forms inside a vein. Size can vary from a small clot to one that extends along a long segment of the vessel. Clots in the veins are associated with symptoms of impaired venous drainage and may lead to serious complications involving the lungs and heart, particularly pulmonary embolism. Early diagnosis and treatment by a  specialist <a href=\"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/bio\/\">Vascular Sergeon<\/a>is therefore vital to prevent complications and reduce the risk of death.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What is a clot?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>A clot<\/strong>forms when blood coagulates and becomes solid within a blood vessel. While clotting is a normal mechanism to stop bleeding after injury, clot formation in other circumstances is typically due to pathological causes<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Types of Clots<\/h2>\n<p>\u039f <strong>Clot<\/strong> may be classified by vessel type and nature. The main categories include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/flevothromvosi\/\">Vein Clot<\/a><strong> (Venous clot)<\/strong>: forms in veins and can migrate, causing pulmonary embolism. Two common forms are superficial venous thrombosis (thrombophlebitis) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). <a href=\"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/en-tw-vathei-fleviki-thromvosi-flevothromvosi\/\"><strong>\u03b5\u03bd<\/strong> <strong>\u03c4\u03c9 \u03b2\u03ac\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9 \u03c6\u03bb\u03b5\u03b2\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03b8\u03c1\u03cc\u03bc\u03b2\u03c9\u03c3\u03b7<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Arterial clot<\/strong>: forms in arteries and may cause <strong>myocardial infarction<\/strong> (heart attack) <strong>stroke or gangrene<\/strong>. Causes include atherosclerosis and embolism from atrial fibrillation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u2022\tMicrothrombi<\/strong>: form in small vessels, often due to coagulation disorders or <strong>microvascular injury<\/strong>, and can affect organs such as kidneys, lungs, or skin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>How does a venous clot form?<\/h2>\n<p>\u039f <strong>Clot<\/strong> formation occurs through <em><strong>coagulation<\/strong><\/em>, involving platelets and clotting proteins, either physiologically (bleeding) or pathologically (e.g. cancer, thrombophilia). Key steps include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Vessel<\/strong><strong>wall damage<\/strong>: platelets adhere to the damaged lining<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chemical signalling<\/strong>: platelets release substances that recruit more platelets<\/li>\n<li><strong>Activation of clotting factors<\/strong>: thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin<\/li>\n<li><strong>Clot formation<\/strong>: fibrin creates a mesh trapping platelets and red cells<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For a venous clot to form, at least one component of <strong>Virchow\u2019s triad<\/strong> is usually present:\nstasis (e.g. venous insufficiency, May\u2013Thurner syndrome), hypercoagulability (thrombophilia, cancer), or vessel wall abnormality (previous thrombosis, May\u2013Thurner syndrome).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Symptoms of venous thrombosis<\/h2>\n<p>Symptoms depend on the location and severity, and may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Severe pain and cramping<\/strong>(often in the calf)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Swelling of the leg<\/strong>or affected limb, sometimes with heaviness<\/li>\n<li><strong>Redness and warmth in the area<\/strong>: \u0397 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c7\u03ae \u03b3\u03cd\u03c1\u03c9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03bf\u03bd \u03b8\u03c1\u03cc\u03bc\u03b2\u03bf \u03bc\u03c0\u03bf\u03c1\u03b5\u03af \u03bd\u03b1 \u03b3\u03af\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9 \u03ba\u03cc\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b7 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b6\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03b1\u03c6\u03ae.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Difficulty moving<\/strong>due to pain\/stiffness<\/li>\n<li><strong>A firm, tender superficial vein (\u201ccord\u201d) in superficial thrombosis<\/strong>(e.g. saphenous thrombophlebitis; arm veins after IV medication)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>Potential complications<\/h2>\n<p>Venous clots may be life-threatening due to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pulmonary embolism<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>chest pain<\/li>\n<li>severe breathlessness<\/li>\n<li>heart strain\/failure<\/li>\n<li>fainting<\/li>\n<li>Sudden death<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Post-thrombotic syndrome<\/strong>: valve damage leads to chronic swelling, skin darkening (brown), and sometimes venous ulcers<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paradoxical stroke: <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>in some (often younger) patients with a patent foramen ovale, a venous clot can pass to the arterial system and cause stroke<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Treatment options<\/h2>\n<p>Treatment depends on severity and extent:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Anticoagulant<\/strong>(e.g. <strong>heparin<\/strong>, the <strong>warfarin<\/strong> or <strong>newer oral anticoagulants<\/strong>is the mainstay. These medicines prevent extension\/new clots; they do not \u201cdissolve\u201d existing clots\u2014your body does that over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Endovascular clot removal<\/strong>in severe cases (extensive pelvic\/abdominal vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism causing significant cardiac strain), using aspiration devices to restore flow.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Venous <\/strong><strong>stenting<\/strong>for chronic obstruction\/post-thrombotic syndrome, to improve outflow from the leg.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Graduated compression stockings<\/strong>to relieve symptoms and reduce post-thrombotic syndrome risk. <strong>\u03ba\u03ac\u03bb\u03c4\u03c3\u03b5\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c5\u03bc\u03c0\u03af\u03b5\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2<\/strong>) \u03bc\u03c0\u03bf\u03c1\u03b5\u03af \u03bd\u03b1 \u03b2\u03bf\u03b7\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03cd\u03c6\u03b9\u03c3\u03b7 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03cc\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c6\u03c5\u03b3\u03ae <strong>\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b8\u03c1\u03bf\u03bc\u03b2\u03c9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03cd \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b4\u03c1\u03cc\u03bc\u03bf\u03c5<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>Prevention<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Thrombophilia genetic testing (when indicated)<\/li>\n<li>Lower-limb venous duplex ultrasound (Triplex) when clinically appropriate<\/li>\n<li>Smoking cessation<\/li>\n<li>Avoid combined oral contraception plus smoking<\/li>\n<li>Compression stockings in venous insufficiency<\/li>\n<li>Treat varicose veins\/superficial venous reflux<\/li>\n<li>Good hydration<\/li>\n<li>Daily activity\/exercise<\/li>\n<li>Preventive anticoagulation after surgery, trauma, or immobilisation (as advised<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Early <strong>diagnosis<\/strong> and <strong>treatment<\/strong> are crucial. <strong>Dr Theodosios Bisdas,<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/bio\/\"><strong>Professor of Vascular Surgery and Director of the Vascular Surgery Clinic at Athens Medical Centre,<\/strong><\/a>, can guide you through diagnosis and the full range of modern treatment options<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; \u039f \u03b8\u03c1\u03cc\u03bc\u03b2\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c7\u03b5\u03c4\u03af\u03b6\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 \u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c5\u03bc\u03c0\u03b1\u03b3\u03bf\u03cd\u03c2 \u03bc\u03ac\u03b6\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03ba\u03cd\u03c4\u03c4\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b1\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2, \u03b7 \u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03af\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03c4\u03af\u03b8\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b1 \u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03b1. \u03a4\u03bf \u03bc\u03ad\u03b3\u03b5\u03b8\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ba\u03af\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03ad\u03bd\u03b1 \u03bc\u03b9\u03ba\u03c1\u03cc \u03c3\u03b2\u03ce\u03bb\u03bf \u03bc\u03ad\u03c7\u03c1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03bf \u03bd\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9 \u03cc\u03bb\u03bf \u03c4\u03bf \u03bc\u03ae\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5. \u0397 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b8\u03c1\u03cc\u03bc\u03b2\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c6\u03bb\u03ad\u03b2\u03b5\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b4\u03ad\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ad\u03bd\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c5\u03bc\u03c0\u03c4\u03ce\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b1\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2, \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03ce\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03b5\u03c0\u03b9\u03c0\u03bb\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad\u03c2 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1421,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1411"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1425,"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411\/revisions\/1425"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bisdasmd.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}