US Vice President Dick Cheney’s spokeswoman said after his unscheduled medical check on Tuesday that the clot discovered in his left leg last month is getting smaller and his doctors advise him to continue with the current blood thinning treatment which they say is in the right range for his improving condition.

Spokeswoman for the Vice President, Megan McGinn, said Cheney had undergone an ultrasound exam of the clot that shows it to be “resolving”; a medical term for breaking down and being reabsorbed in the bloodstream. His doctor is on campus at the George Washington University Medical Center.

Cheney is thought to have developed the blood clot in his lower left leg early last month, following an extensive round the world trip lasting just over a week on Air Force Two.

Cheney’s condition is known as deep-venous, or deep-vein, thrombosis, often abbreviated to DVT, which occurs most often in the legs, either in the popliteal vein (in the lower leg) or its continuation, the femoral vein (in the upper leg and groin).

Long periods of physical inactivity are thought to be a risk factor, which is why long haul passengers are advised to exercise their legs and feet periodically.

Classic symptoms of DVT include redness in the affected area, and a painful, localized swelling.

The definitive diagnosis is with an X-ray test called a intravenous venogram, which is taken after a contrast dye is injected into the suspected vein so any blockages can be seen easily on the picture.

Ultrasound is also used in conjunction with blood flow measures to assess the size and progress of the clot.

It is important to attend to a blood clot as soon as possible as a piece can break off, enter the blood supply to the lungs and cause an obstruction known as a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.

The most common treatment of DVT is to give the patient anticoagulants or blood thinners, usually a short course of heparin followed by a longer course of warfarin. Blood thinners lower the blood’s viscosity (thickness and stickiness) reducing the chances that the clot will accumulate more blood particles and grow.

According to various media reports, Cheney, who is 66, has an extensive history of heart and cardiovascular problems.

It is reported that this includes surgery on his legs to repair an arterial weakness, four heart attacks, two angioplasties to open blocked arteries, and a quadruple bypass. He has also had a pacemaker fitted.

McGinn said that Cheney’s doctors advised him to stay on his current treatment. The Vice President returned to the White House after the check up and resumed his normal schedule, she said yesterday.

According to a report by Reuters yesterday, presidential hopeful and Ohio Democrat Rep. Dennis Kucinich, postponed his news conference where he was going to call for Cheney to be impeached as vice president.

Click here for more information about Deep Venous Thrombosis and Thrombophlebitis (from WebMD).

Written by: Catharine Paddock
Writer: Medical News Today