Introduction
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins that run through the thighs and legs as a result of a lack of muscle contraction leading to decreased blood flow. Around 550,000 U.S. adults were hospitalized had an occurrence of DVT that resulted in a discharge diagnosis of VTE. DVT can lead to further damage, increasing the risk of serious medical issues such as pulmonary embolisms, and can lead to death.
There are a number of current solutions for detecting the occurrence of a DVT in hospitalized patients. The current gold standard for detection is an ultrasound scan that is taken weekly if a patient’s DVT risk is already determined to be high. Venography techniques, x-ray scans, pressure cuff readings, blood tests for clotting proteins, and manual inspections of the lower extremities for signs of inflammation are also used.
These methods are unable to detect the early signs of DVT without the presence of a medical practitioner and frequently enough to justify preventive measures to be taken and stop clots from growing.
