We are the combination of four hospitals: the General Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, the Women’s Hospital and the Traumatology, Rehabilitation and Burns Hospital. We are part of the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus: a world-leading health park where healthcare plays a crucial role.
Patients are the centre and the core of our system. We are professionals committed to quality care and our organizational structure breaks down the traditional boundaries between departments and professional groups, with an exclusive model of knowledge areas.
Would you like to know what your stay at Vall d'Hebron will be like? Here you will find all the information.
The commitment of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital to innovation allows us to be at the forefront of medicine, providing first class care adapted to the changing needs of each patient.
When we talk about venous thromboembolic disease, we refer to a process characterized by the formation of a thrombus (blood clot) within the deep venous system, which can grow or break apart, disrupting normal blood flow and causing various complications.
The main manifestations of venous thromboembolic disease are deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, among others. DVT occurs when a thrombus or clot forms inside a deep vein, usually in the legs (although it can also occur in the arms, portal vein, iliac veins, or even the vena cava), obstructing normal blood circulation in the affected veins.
A thrombus that forms in a deep vein can fragment or break off and become detached. The resulting embolus then travels through the veins toward the heart and reaches the lungs via the pulmonary arteries. In the lungs, the embolus lodges and obstructs one or more pulmonary arteries, preventing normal blood flow. This process is called a pulmonary embolism or thromboembolism (PE).
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT):
- Swelling or inflammation of the affected leg
- Pain or tenderness in the leg, often starting in the calf
- Increased warmth in the leg
- Changes in skin color (redness or bluish and shiny appearance)
Pulmonary embolism (PE):
- Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Sharp chest pain
- Dry cough, sometimes with blood
- Fainting (syncope)
The incidence of venous thromboembolic disease in the general population, including any of its manifestations, is estimated at 1–2 cases per 1,000 inhabitants per year. In Spain, this translates to more than 80,000 cases annually. About 70 % of cases are deep vein thromboses, with the remainder being pulmonary embolisms.
DVT:Diagnosis involves assessing patient symptoms, blood tests, and imaging. The preferred imaging method is Doppler ultrasound (eco-Doppler), which allows visualization of the deep veins and confirms or rules out the diagnosis.
PE:If a pulmonary embolism is suspected, diagnosis is confirmed using tests such as a chest CT scan or a lung scan (ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy).
The main goal in any type of thrombosis is to dissolve the thrombus and restore blood flow to prevent further complications.
Anticoagulation is the treatment of choice for venous thromboembolic disease. Anticoagulants are medications that alter blood clotting to prevent new thrombi from forming and help dissolve existing clots.
Laboratory tests, such as D-dimer Imaging tests, including Doppler ultrasound, CT scans, and lung scintigraphy.
THROMBOPHILIA STUDY: In some cases, a blood test is performed to determine if the patient has abnormalities in clotting proteins that predispose them to thrombosis.
Knowing the risk factors for venous thromboembolic disease is key to managing and reducing risk. One of the simplest and most effective preventive measures is walking, as movement helps prevent thrombus formation.
Anticoagulant treatment
The acceptance of these terms implies that you give your consent to the processing of your personal data for the provision of the services you request through this portal and, if applicable, to carry out the necessary procedures with the administrations or public entities involved in the processing. You may exercise the mentioned rights by writing to web@vallhebron.cat, clearly indicating in the subject line “Exercise of LOPD rights”. Responsible entity: Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (Catalan Institute of Health). Purpose: Subscription to the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus newsletter, where you will receive news, activities, and relevant information. Legal basis: Consent of the data subject. Data sharing: If applicable, with VHIR. No other data transfers are foreseen. No international transfer of personal data is foreseen. Rights: Access, rectification, deletion, and data portability, as well as restriction and objection to its processing. The user may revoke their consent at any time. Source: The data subject. Additional information: Additional information can be found at https://hospital.vallhebron.com/es/politica-de-proteccion-de-datos.