Refers to the intra-luminal occlusion of any vein within the deep system of a limb (either arm or leg) or the pelvis

Aetiology

Venous thrombosis is considered to arise from the interplay between the three factors that make up Virchow’s triad:

Hypercoagulable state

• Malignancy
• Pregnancy and peripartum
• Oestrogen therapy
• IBD
• Sepsis
• Thrombophilia

Endothelial injury

• Venous disorders
• Venous valvular damage (e.g. from previous DVT/PE - very strong RF)
• Trauma or surgery
• Indwelling catheters

Circulatory stasis

• Left ventricular dysfunction
• Immobility or paralysis
• Venous insufficiency/varicose veins
• Venous obstruction - tumour, obesity, pregnancy