Though the article focused on the factor that the person was a gamer, the real issue is the prolonged sitting and possibly sedimentary lifestyle (person played games from bed for eight hours straight) . Of course the other gamer mentioned in the article spent 12 hours a day sitting playing games also. What the story doesn't mention is where there other associated risk factors which also contributed.

Thanks for sharing!

I am surprised that they just dissolved the clots with medicines so quickly perhaps using the TPAs. But isn't the procedure uncommon? I mean, most of the patients with DVT are treated with Blood thinner injections first and then simultaneously take in warfarin and the clots are supposed to heal by themselves, right?

And one other point worth noting is the lack of awareness in the patient about DVT.

san4555,

Good question regarding the "dissolved clots". Could be a case of journalist not knowing what anticoaugulant medication actually does, or, could be a case of experimental treatment. There are studies taking place looking into the effectiveness of treatment VTE with tPa as a first procedure than placing the patient on anticoagulation treatment. Hard to tell from the article but I suspect it was a lack of knowledge about how anticoagulants actually work.

Public awareness as grown immensely since 2003. But with that said, we still have a long ways to go but this not only applies to the general population but also the healthcare community (especially first line providers - ER situations).

I wondered about the clot "dissolving" medicine as well. The way it was worded, I felt like RetiredNavy, that maybe the journalist just didn't understand what really happened when you take anticoagulatnts.

The thing that struck me was how he had symptoms for two days before he decided there was a problem. I mean, we've all done that. But, that also means that he may have started clotting very early on in his four days of gaming. It does seem like we'll see and increase in these types of clots among gamers. I always wonder if doctors know to ask young men who have clotted about this.

I too think the journalist may have used incorrect terminology over about the clot dissolving piece but who knows. He may have been a candidate for tPA depending on where he was treated, the extent of his clot, etc.

Outside of the DVT component, I am just struck by the fact that a grown man would game THIS long. What the hell.

rmb,

What ya trying to say - " I am just struck by the fact that a grown man would game THIS long. What the hell."

I jumped on the kids Xbox a few times and played for hours on end. Bwhahahahaha ......

Of course that is when it's too cold to bike or kayak.

Ha ha ha! What the hell is wrong with you Tom! My husband is off today and 10 bucks says he's playing video games so your point is well taken!

It's true, we never grow up (lol)

NEVER.

They didn't use tPa, but they did a thrombolysis with heparin and urokinase. The whole case study shows up if you click on the link inside the article.

There was no history of trauma to his left leg, recent surgery, or previous venous thrombosis. There was no family history of venous thrombosis. On examination there was marked swelling of the leg with dilated superficial veins. Doppler ultrasound of his left leg confirmed extensive deep venous thrombosis involving the origin of the left common iliac vein down to level of the distal left femoral vein and proximal long saphenous vein, with features indicating complete occlusion. He was commenced on anticoagulation with subcutaneous enoxaparin, and subsequently underwent thrombolysis with heparin and urokinase. A thrombophilia screen was negative.

Well, from that description, it sounds like the inactivity during gaming was the only real cause of the clotting. Hopefully, he'll get up and move around more now when he's playing.

Now knowing what I do about clots, it is a wonder to me how this type of thing does not happen more often.