Which patients are at higher risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Patients who are post-operative and those on prolonged bed rest are at a significantly higher risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to various factors related to immobility and the surgical process.

After surgery, particularly orthopedic or major abdominal procedures, patients are often immobilized for recovery. Immobility can lead to reduced blood flow in the legs, increasing the likelihood of clot formation in the veins. Similarly, prolonged bed rest reduces movement, which is vital for the natural circulation of blood. The muscle contractions while walking and moving are essential as they help push blood back toward the heart. Without this, blood can pool in the veins, leading to venous stasis—a key contributor to DVT.

In contrast, while elderly patients, pregnant women, individuals with cancer, and those with high blood pressure do have risk factors for DVT, these are not as directly linked to the immediate and significant risk as the factors associated with surgery and immobility. Pregnant women and cancer patients have underlying risk factors that can predispose them to DVT, but it is the combination of surgery and lack of movement that is most critical in immediate post-operative scenarios.