Help Clients Prevent
Deep Vein Thrombosis 
with Intermittent Pneumatic Compression

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body. In most cases, this clot forms inside one of the deep veins of the thigh or lower leg.

DVT is a common condition, especially in people over age 65. Post-thrombotic syndrome affects a large number of people who have had DVT. It can happen in men and women of any age.

DVT is a serious medical condition that can cause swelling, pain, and tenderness in your leg. In some cases, a deep clot in a leg vein can break free and stick in a vessel in the lung. This can cause a blockage in the vessel called a pulmonary embolism, which can cause severe shortness of breath and even sudden death.

Anything that slows the movement of blood through your veins increases your risk of DVT. A variety of conditions can increase your chance of getting a DVT, such as:

• Recent surgery, which decreases your mobility and increases inflammation in the body, which can lead to clotting
• Medical conditions that limit your mobility, such as an injury or stroke
• Long periods of travel, which limit your mobility
• Injury to a deep vein
• Inherited blood disorders that increase clotting
• Pregnancy
• Cancer treatment
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Older age

*Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices are a recommended form of prophylaxis used to help prevent DVT by the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery.