Table 3

Management of patients with venous gangrene

Investigations:

• Full Blood Count looking at the platelets count

• INR

• D-dimers

• Anticardiolipin antibody levels

• Protein C & S levels

• Venous doppler/venography

• Arterial pulses (palpation or by hand-held doppler)

Treatment

• Stop warfarin

• Start LMWH or DTI is cases of proven HIT

• Limb elevation to decrease the swelling

• Good nutrition and hydration of the patient

• Treatment of the underlying malignancy

• Venous thrombectomy or intrathrombus catheter-directed thrombolysis

Osman et al. International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2007 4:7   doi:10.1186/1477-7800-4-7