Superficial vein thrombosis

Common card · No. 243302

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a blood clot formed in a superficial vein; a vein near the surface of the body. Usually there is thrombophlebitis, which is an inflammatory reaction around a thrombosed vein, presenting as a painful induration (thickening of the skin) with redness. SVTs have a lower disability and mortality risk compared to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occur deeper in the body at the deep venous system and have a greater risk of travelling to the lungs as pulmonary emboli. However, SVTs carry a risk of propagating (spreading) to become DVTs, which may then develop into PEs. If the blood clot is too near the saphenofemoral junction there is a higher risk of pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening complication. SVTs commonly occur in the arms and legs. The great saphenous vein (73% of lower extremity clots) and the small saphenous vein (25.7%) are the most commonly involved leg veins to develop SVTs. The cephalic vein (57% of upper extremity clots) and...

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