ABSTRACT
The clinical presentation of an acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) varies with the anatomic distribution, extent, and degree of occlusion of the thrombus. As the clinical presentation of acute DVT is non-specific, the presence or absence of associated thrombotic risk factors may alter diagnostic suspicion. The potentially life-threatening consequences of PE make it the most important short-term complication of acute DVT. The post-thrombotic syndrome, with symptoms including pain, edema, skin changes, and ulceration, is the most important late complication of DVT. Older studies, many with methodological flaws, reported post-thrombotic manifestations in up to two-thirds of patients with an acute DVT. Mortality after an episode of acute DVT exceeds that expected in age-matched populations. Imbalanced activation of the coagulation system appears to be the most important factor underlying many episodes of acute DVT. Although less extensively investigated, histologic studies suggest that clinical DVT follows a similar course.
