Thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, phlebothrombosis, and deep vein thrombosis are caused by Virchow’s Triad: Venous Stasis, Hypercoagulability, and Endothelial Lesions. Thrombophlebitis involves a clot involved with inflammation. If a clot occurs without inflammation, it is a phlebothrombosis.
- Clinical Manifestations: Non-specific. Edema and swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth.
- Diagnostics: Doppler ultrasonography, duplex ultrasonography, air plethysmography, contrast phlebography (venography)
- Medical Management: prevent the thrombus from growing and fragmenting, resolving current thrombi, and prevent recurrence
- Pharmacologic Therapy: Heparin, Coumadin, Thrombolytics, and for prophylaxis, Fondaparinux SC
- Nursing Interventions: monitor anticoagulant therapy (PT, PTT), monitor complications