Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis: Korean Practice Guidelines

Abstract

Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis is a serious medical condition that results in death or major disability due to pulmonary embolism or post-thrombotic syndrome. Proper diagnosis and treatment are warranted to improve symptoms and limb salvage. Early thrombus clearance rapidly resolves symptoms related to venous obstruction and can restore valve function; hence, it reduces the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome. Recently, endovascular treatment has been established as a standard method for early thrombus removal. However, there are a variety of views about the indications and procedure methods among medical institutions and operators. Therefore, we intend to provide evidence based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis by multidisciplinary consensus. These guidelines are the result of a close collaboration between interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. The goal of these guidelines is to ensure better diagnosis and treatment, to serve as a guide to the clinician, and consequently, to contribute to public health care.

Keywords

• guideline
• deep vein thrombosis
• diagnosis and treatment