Blood Clots in Leg May Best Be Diagnosed By Simpler Test

Blood Clots in Leg May Best Be Diagnosed By Simpler Test

New research has revealed that an older, simpler test to look for blood clots in the leg -- called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT -- is as effective as a newer, more expensive test.

Very tellingly, according to european researchers, it was discovered that a 2-point ultrasonography of the leg -- sometimes called compression or duplex ultrasound -- was as good at detecting DVT as the newer, whole-leg, color-coded doppler ultrasound test.

As study's lead author, Dr. Enrico Bernardi, head of the emergency department at Conegliano Hospital in Italy stated: "In general, the 2-point approach is safe, reproducible, easy, fast and convenient; [the test] may be performed with any ultrasound machine by any physician with minimal training."

It is noteworthy of mention that Bernardi and his colleagues reported their findings in the Oct. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

According to Dr. C. Seth Landefeld, of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, who wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal, the whole-leg scan, on the other hand, requires a specially trained physician and a special machine. Because of these requirements, the test isn't as widely available.

It is reported that DVT is a type of blood clot that forms in veins located deep within the body. Commonly, these clots occur in the legs. Certain factors increase your risk of DVT, including: traveling long distances, especially on an airplane; having a blood-clotting disorder; being pregnant; being overweight or obese; having a history of DVT; undergoing cancer treatment; and being older than 60, according to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

"In most hospitals, it's very difficult to do the total leg ultrasound. It requires skilled personnel, and it's very time-consuming," he said.

To conclude this report, it is suggested that a good way to prevent DVT when flying, he said, is to make sure you stay hydrated with water -- coffee or alcohol can dehydrate you further.

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