Brunswick Medical Center

Treatment prevention blood clots within 24 hours

Why this is important:

Treatment(s) to prevent blood clots must be administered at the right time to prevent blood clots forming after selected surgeries.

Venous thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a vein. This clot can limit blood flow, causing swelling, redness and pain. Most commonly, clots occur in the legs, thigh, or pelvis.

If a part, or all, of the clot breaks off where it was formed, it can travel through the veins. The part that breaks off is called an embolus. If the embolus lodges in the lung, it is called a pulmonary embolism – a serious condition that can cause death.

A number of factors can increase a patient's risk of developing blood clots but a doctor can order preventative treatments called prophylaxes to reduce the risk. Prophylaxes may include blood-thinning medications, elastic support stockings, or mechanical air stockings that promote circulation in the legs.