Each year in France, nearly 100,000 phlebitis – also called venous thrombosis – are identified. These are characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the veins of the lower extremities. Some are superficial because they affect the small caliber veins, located in the subcutaneous tissue.
When it is, on the other hand, deep, phlebitis concerns the veins of larger caliber, inserted near the arteries, in the heart of the muscular system of the leg. In this case, there is a significant risk of a severe complication.
Indeed, “the clot can come off and cause pulmonary embolism (obstruction of the pulmonary artery)”, describes Inserm. Which constitutes a vital emergency since it causes “damage to the affected lung and the injured part can no longer provide oxygen to the body,” says Medicare.
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Respond and prevent
Certain symptoms associated with phlebitis should therefore alert and encourage urgent medical attention: redness, edema, pain in the leg or calf. But they are not systematic and “phlebitis can even be asymptomatic”, recalls Inserm.
What are the risk factors?
While no cause and effect link has yet been established between the administration of AstraZeneca’s vaccine against Covid-19 and a risk of thrombosis, other risk factors are however well identified:
–Surgery when it is combined with lasting immobilization;
–Traumatic injuries to the legs with immobilization or the installation of a plaster cast;
–The fact of staying several days in bed;
–An infectious disease, a lung or heart problem…;
– pregnancy, and in particular the weeks following childbirth (especially in the event of cesarean section or complications);
–Long-distance trips, without getting up …
–Overweight;
-the tobacco.
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