Dr Z, The long distant truck drivers often get 'highway thrombosis' which occurs similar to the economy class situation which I will now call 'airway thrombosis' Besides the risks of developing a thrombus described above, other risks for DVT include advancing age, acute myocardial infarction and certain types of surgery, especially repair of hip fractures and proatatectomies. DVT's also occur more frequently in woman then in men. When a clot forms it triggers of an inflammatory process, a thrombophlebitis. Many times, though, these symptoms may be missing. If the thrombus is caused by a cancer in the leg tissue, then there may be no inflammation, a condition called phlebothrombosis .
Treatment is with heparin, an anticoagulant.
Anticoagulation can prevent the propagation of the clot and decrease chances of emboli formation. What has been found to be just as effective as treatment with IV heparin is low molecular weight heparin. Often oral anticoagulation therapy, warfarin, is started within 24 hours of diagnosis. If anticoagulation therapy is contraindicated, because there is bleeding or increased risk for bleeding, then the surgical placement of an inferior venal caval filter can be done to prevent pulmonary embolus. If there is extensive ileofemoral venous thrombosis and the patient has a low risk of bleeding, then thrombolytic therapy can be given.