What Is Phlebitis?
Phlebitis is the general term for an inflammation of the wall of a vein which can be caused by several factors. When the vein wall becomes inflamed it can result in the development of thrombosis (blood clot) within the lumen which blocks the flow of blood. It is rare for phlebitis to occur without thrombosis. Phlebothrombosis is the general term for blood-clotting within a vein. If the superficial veins are affected the condition is known as ‘superficial thrombophlebitis’ and as ’deep vein thrombosis’ (DVT) when deep veins are involved.
