Deep Vein Thrombosis (cont.)
Surgery
Surgery to remove a blood clot is rare. It's only considered if the blood clot is very large and is blocking a major blood vessel. Surgery increases the risk of forming new blood clots.
Other Treatment
Vena cava filters are used for some people who have deep vein thrombosis. This is not a common treatment. A vena cava filter is inserted into the vena cava, the large vein that returns blood to the heart from the abdomen and legs. This filter can prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). But the filter doesn't stop a clot from forming. Vena cava filters might be used if you: - Cannot take anticoagulants.
- Continue to develop blood clots even though you have been taking anticoagulants.
- Have recurrent blood clots and pulmonary hypertension.
For more information, see the topic Pulmonary Embolism.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations| Vascular Disease Foundation | | 1075 South Yukon | | Suite 320 | | Lakewood, CO 80226 | | | Phone: | 1-888-833-4463 | | Web Address: | www.vdf.org | | The Vascular Disease Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides information and support for patients and their families about vascular diseases. This organization also provides public education through its press releases, Web site, and printed materials. |
| | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Consumers & Patients | | 540 Gaither Road | | Suite 2000 | | Rockville, MD 20850 | | | Phone: | (301) 427-1364 | | Web Address: | www.ahrq.gov/consumer | | This Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) website has evidence-based tips on staying healthy, choosing quality care, getting safe care, understanding diseases, comparing medical treatments, and more. AHRQ is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It supports research that will help people make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services. |
| | American Heart Association (AHA) | | 7272 Greenville Avenue | | Dallas, TX 75231 | | Phone: | 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) | | Web Address: | www.heart.org | | Visit the American Heart Association (AHA) website for information on physical activity, diet, and various heart-related conditions. You can search for information on heart disease and stroke, share information with friends and family, and use tools to help you make heart-healthy goals and plans. Contact the AHA to find your nearest local or state AHA group. The AHA provides brochures and information about support groups and community programs, including Mended Hearts, a nationwide organization whose members visit people with heart problems and provide information and support. |
| | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) | | P.O. Box 30105 | | Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 | | Phone: | (301) 592-8573 | | Fax: | (240) 629-3246 | | TDD: | (240) 629-3255 | | Email: | nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov | | Web Address: | www.nhlbi.nih.gov | | The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) information center offers information and publications about preventing and treating: - Diseases affecting the heart and circulation, such as heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, and heart problems present at birth (congenital heart diseases).
- Diseases that affect the lungs, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, sleep apnea, and pneumonia.
- Diseases that affect the blood, such as anemia, hemochromatosis, hemophilia, thalassemia, and von Willebrand disease.
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| | VascularWeb | | Society for Vascular Surgery | | 633 North Saint Clair Street, 24th Floor | | Chicago, IL 60611 | | Phone: | 1-800-258-7188
| | Email: | vascular@vascularsociety.org | | Web Address: | www.vascularweb.org | | VascularWeb is a Web site provided by the Society for Vascular Surgery. This Web site provides information about vascular conditions for patients and families. VascularWeb can help you learn about how to prevent and treat vascular diseases, learn about vascular screening, and find a vascular surgeon. |
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