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Deep Vein Thrombosis

Venous Disease

About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood from your extremities back to your heart.  Two common forms of venous disease are deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.5 Deep veins are veins found deep in the body, such as the femoral vein and iliac vein. Veins close to the surface or skin are called superficial veins.  Thrombosis is another word for blood clot.4 Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein in the body. Most clots form in the veins of the legs, but they can occasionally form in the arms as well. The blood clot can cause partial or complete blockage of the blood flow in the veins. 

 Venous Disease
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The most serious complication from DVT is pulmonary embolism (PE). Pulmonary means related to the lungs, and embolism means a blockage.  PE occurs when a blood clot in the veins breaks loose and travels to the heart and lungs, where it can block a pulmonary artery. A PE can cause damage to the lungs and is potentially life threatening. DVT and PE are commonly referred together as venous thromboembolism (VTE).



  1. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Office of the Surgeon General (US); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (US). 2008.
  2. Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  3. Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities 2012 Annual Fiscal Report.
  4. Deep Vein Thrombosis Medline Plus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  5. Pulmonary Embolism. Medline Plus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  6. Explore Deep Vein Thrombosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
  7. Explore Pulmonary Embolism. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.