When the blood clots in a vein, the condition is known as thrombosis. Brachial vein thrombosis is characterized by a formation of a blood clot in the brachial vein. At times, the condition is asymptomatic; nevertheless, this happens when the clot is very tiny and may not cause any occlusion to the flow of blood.
Thrombosis develops because of either a reduced flow of blood, impairment of the wall of the blood vessel, or an increased tendency of the blood to clot.
Symptoms Of Brachial Vein Thrombosis
Regrettably, a lot of the cases of thrombosis may not present any clinical features at all. This is because, the blood, while it flows through the vein, tries to bypass the clot. Even if there is a fractional occlusion, there is a chance that the flow of blood will be normal.
- When the symptoms become apparent, there will be swelling along with some redness. Occasionally, the arm may turn bluish – a sign that the muscles aren’t receiving adequate oxygen.
- There will also be associated pain in the arm.
- The temperature of the arm could be below normal and there will be a reduced arterial pulse due to spasm.
- It is very vital that you do not neglect your symptoms. A thrombus is known to get dislodged, in which case, via the blood circulation, it may travel and get wedged in the lungs resulting in a pulmonary embolism, consequently occluding the main artery of the lung. This can have very grave consequences – resulting in breathing difficulties, pain in the chest and palpitations, which could also be fatal.
Thus, the signs and symptoms ought to be dealt with promptly, on a high priority basis, given that, they may lead to fatal complications.
Treatment Options For Brachial Vein Thrombosis
The treatment regimen to manage a thrombus focuses on ensuring that the blood clot does not get bigger, as well as preventing the clot from breaking away and resulting in pulmonary embolism. Your treatment plan also aims to diminish your risk of thrombosis happening again. You need to confer with your health care provider regarding the medications that would be best for you, your daily diet as well as exercise.
Treatment options are:
- Blood thinners: Anticoagulants or blood thinners are administered to manage thrombosis. These reduce the ability of the blood to clot. Whilst they do not help break up the existing clots, they prevent them from getting bigger and also help decrease your chance of developing more blood clots.
- Typically, you will be first administered a shot or infusion of heparin (a blood thinner) for some days. After heparin, you’ll be given some other injectable anticoagulant, such as enoxaparin. Some prescribe a pill, such as warfarin. You need to take anti-coagulants for about 3 months. Take the medicine exactly as your physician instructs. Regular follow ups are very crucial.
- Clot busters: In severe cases and in case other medicines fail to work, your doctor will prescribe clot busters or thrombolytics. These drugs are administered intravenously to break up the clots or they may be administered through a catheter introduced in the clot. Thrombolytic drugs are administered only in the intensive care unit of a hospital.
- Filters: Occasionally, a filter may be introduced in to the vena cava in your abdomen. A vena cava filter prevents thrombi that may break loose, from getting wedged into your lungs.