Prognosis of DVT

• Death occurs in approximately 6% of DVT cases – crucial to detect it early : within 1 month of diagnosis.
• Recurrence after the first event can be as high as 60% but halved by COMPRESSION STOCKINGS.
• With anticoagulant therapy, the mortality rate is decreased 5- to 10-fold.
• DVT recurs in 5% to 10% of patients the year after anticoagulant therapy is discontinued and in 30% of patients after 8 years.

• Most patients with proximal vein DVT are at long-term risk of chronic venous insufficiency. (30-80%)
• Approximately 20% of untreated proximal (above the calf) DVTs progress to pulmonary embolism.
• 10-20% of these PE cases are fatal.

• Post-phlebitic syndrome (chronic, potentially disabling condition) occurs in 15-50% of patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Within a year or after the 1st attack.
• Recurrent attack increases the risk by 6 fold.
• It presents with

1. Leg oedema
2. Pain
3. Nocturnal cramping
4. Venous claudication
5. Skin pigmentation
6. Dermatitis
7. Ulceration (4-6% - usually on the medial aspect of the lower leg).