Causes of pelvic vein thrombosis
A thrombosis, i.e. the occlusion of a blood vessel by a blood clot, often occurs primarily in the deep veins of the leg and pelvis. This is usually caused either by a change in the composition of the blood or the flow rate. One of the most common causes of pelvic vein thrombosis is immobilization, i.e. restricted movement and stress on the leg.
This often occurs in the course of operations and infections with bedriddenness, but also during long flights or car journeys. Due to the lack of movement of the leg muscles, the blood in the veins is pumped back towards the heart at a reduced rate and collects in the leg veins. This is a risk for the formation of a clot.
If the composition of the blood is changed, this can lead to increased coagulability of the blood (so-called hypercoagulability), which consequently leads to an increased risk of thrombosis. The cause of increased coagulability is usually genetic. Here, factors in the blood are reduced or functionless, which are responsible for a balance of blood coagulation and coagulation inhibition.
A well-known example of a disease is factor V deficiency. A deficiency of anticoagulant blood components can also occur during the course of life and is typical above all in the case of liver weakness. Other risk factors for a blood clot are an increased oestrogen influence (e.g. from taking the contraceptive pill or during pregnancy) and damage to the vessel walls (e.g. as a result of many years of smoking and increased blood lipid levels). Detailed information on the causes can also be found under Causes of thrombosis
Course of the disease with pelvic vein thrombosis
The course of pelvic vein thrombosis can vary greatly. Many pelvic vein thromboses proceed without major physical complaints and can remain unremarkable for a long period of time. If the course of the disease is symptomatic, a feeling of tension in the leg often occurs initially.
Pressure-dependent pain can accompany this. These complaints should improve rapidly with appropriate therapy. For the coming months, the instructions of the attending physician should be strictly followed in order to prevent a renewed thrombosis. If a so-called post-thrombotic syndrome occurs, the course of the disease can be prolonged and over a longer period of time pain, skin changes and swelling can occur. In some cases, these symptoms diminish only very gradually and may persist for years.
Duration and prognosis of pelvic vein thrombosis
The duration of a pelvic vein thrombosis is very individual and depends on the chosen therapy option. In most cases, pelvic vein thrombosis is treated with a blood thinner. This must be taken for at least six months.
If individual risk factors such as cancer are added, the anticoagulant therapy can be extended. This should be determined in consultation with the attending physician and adhered to urgently in order to prevent a renewed thrombosis. The prognosis of a pelvic vein thrombosis is good if it is detected and treated early.
The most important complication that can significantly worsen the prognosis is pulmonary embolism. Here, the blood clot is released from the pelvic vein and floated into the pulmonary blood vessels. If important pulmonary vessels are blocked, this can lead to shortness of breath and circulatory failure. This is life-threatening! For this reason, if you experience sudden leg pain or shortness of breath, especially after long flights or bedriddenness, you should urgently consult a doctor to rule out leg or pelvic vein thrombosis!
