- 🔬Pathophysiology
- Virchow triad (stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury) → venous thrombus, usually proximal lower extremity, with risk of PE.
- 🩺Signs & Symptoms
- Unilateral leg swelling, pain, warmth, erythema; calf tenderness. Often subtle or asymptomatic.
- 🎯Gold Standard Diagnosis
- Compression ultrasound. Use Wells score + D-dimer to risk-stratify (negative D-dimer excludes DVT in low-probability patients).
- 💊First-line Treatment
- Anticoagulation: DOAC (apixaban/rivaroxaban) first-line, ≥3 months. IVC filter if anticoagulation is contraindicated.