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February 10, 2012
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Blood Clot in the Legs (cont.)

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Outlook

Most DVTs resolve on their own.

  • However, nearly 20% of untreated DVTs located above the calf embolize to the lung (pulmonary embolus), and 10%-20% of those are fatal.

  • More than 90% of life-threatening pulmonary emboli arise from DVTs in the legs.

If an individual has had one deep vein thrombosis, they are more likely than the average person to have another deep vein thrombosis.

  • A second deep vein thrombosis occurs within three months in 5% to 8% of people who have had one deep vein thrombosis and within two years in 20%. By some estimates, approximately 50% of those who have had deep vein thrombosis will suffer a recurrence.

  • Closely follow the prevention instructions from the health care practitioner.

Anticoagulant therapy lowers the death rate from pulmonary embolism by a 5 to 10 fold factor.

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Deep Venous Thrombosis »

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) most commonly involves the deep veins of the leg or arm, often resulting in potentially life-threatening emboli to the lungs or debilitating venous alular dysfunction and chronic leg swelling.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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