AN INTRODUCTION:
Chronic Embolism and Thrombosis of Bilateral Iliac Vein (CE&TBIV) is a rare but potentially serious condition that affects the blood flow in your legs. This condition can cause pain, swelling, and even skin ulcers if left untreated. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms of CE&TBIV.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the symptoms, causes, complications, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.
THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF CE&TBIV:
The most common symptom of CE&TBIV is pain in the affected leg or area. Other symptoms may include
- Swelling in the affected leg or area,
- Skin discoloration due to poor circulation (such as purple or red patches),
- Open skin sores or ulcers due to reduced circulation.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
The exact cause of CE&TBIV is not known but it has been linked to certain medical conditions such as
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT),
- Diabetes Mellitus type 2,
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD),
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD),
- Prolonged immobilization due to surgery or prolonged hospital stays.
YOU MAY READ OUR OTHER BLOGS TOO:
AN OVERVIEW OF CHRONIC EMBOLISM AND THROMBOSIS OF THE RIGHT POPLITEAL VEIN
DIAGNOSIS OF SUBSEGMENTAL PULMONARY EMBOLISM
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF LUPUS ANTICOAGULANT SYNDROME
DESCRIBING THE COMPLICATIONS OF CHRONIC THROMBOEMBOLIC PULMONARY HYPERTENSION (CTEPH)
COMPLICATIONS AND DIAGNOSIS
Without proper treatment complications may arise including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE).
A diagnosis is often made after conducting a physical exam which includes checking for signs of tenderness in the affected area as well as an ultrasound to view any blockages present in the veins. Your doctor may also order other tests such as a CT scan or MRI if necessary.
TREATMENT
Treatment for CE&TBIV typically involves
lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol;
- Exercising regularly;
- Maintaining a healthy weight;
- Eating a balanced diet;
- Avoiding long periods of immobility;
- Wearing compression stockings
;
- Medications such as WARFARIN to reduce clotting;
- Possible surgery to remove clots that cannot be treated with medication alone.
Your doctor will decide which treatment option is best for you based on your individual medical needs.
CONCLUSION
If you experience any symptoms associated with CE&TBIV it is important to seek medical attention right away so that you can begin treatment before any serious complications develop. With proper care and management you can effectively manage your symptoms and prevent further complications from arising. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all possible treatments so that you can make an informed decision about how best to treat your condition.
Patients who are on blood thinning medications such as WARFARIN [COUMADIN] are asked to monitor their PT/INR ratio regularly. PATIENT SELF TESTING makes it convenient for people so they can now easily conduct their blood test with the help of PT/INR METERS at home and can have the readings in seconds.