Words to know: Blood clots (DVT and PE)
- Blood clot (thrombus)
- A clump of blood that has turned from liquid into a gel.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- A clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg.
- Pulmonary embolism (PE)
- A clot that has traveled to the blood vessels in the lungs.
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
- A term that covers both DVT and PE.
- Vein
- A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.
- Anticoagulant (blood thinner)
- A medicine that keeps clots from growing and stops new clots from forming.
- DOAC
- Direct oral anticoagulant. A newer blood thinner pill such as apixaban or rivaroxaban.
- Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)
- A blood thinner given as a shot under the skin, such as enoxaparin.
- Warfarin
- An older blood thinner pill that needs regular INR blood tests.
- INR
- A blood test that shows how well warfarin is working.
- D-dimer
- A blood test that measures a piece of a broken-down clot.
- Ultrasound
- A painless test that uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of the body.
- CT pulmonary angiogram
- A CT scan with dye that shows the blood vessels in the lungs.
- Provoked clot
- A clot with a clear short-term trigger, such as surgery or injury.
- Unprovoked clot
- A clot with no clear trigger.
- Thrombophilia
- A condition, inherited or acquired, that makes the blood clot more easily.
- Factor V Leiden
- A common inherited gene change that raises the risk of clots.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
- An immune condition where antibodies make blood more likely to clot.
- Thrombolysis
- Clot-busting treatment that dissolves a clot quickly but raises bleeding risk.
- IVC filter
- A small device placed in a large belly vein to catch clots before they reach the lungs.
- Post-thrombotic syndrome
- Long-term leg swelling, pain, or skin changes after a DVT.
- HIT (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia)
- A rare immune reaction to heparin that lowers platelets and causes clots.
- Platelets
- Small blood cells that help blood clot and stop bleeding.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.