An older and more straightforward way of identifying blood clots in peoples legs is just as effective as its more modern and complex counterpart, according to new research.
Findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveal that a method known as 2-point ultrasonography was as effective at locating deep vein thrombosis as a new technique using a special machine.
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in veins located deep within the body. It is considered a serious problem because the blood clot may break free and travel to a persons lungs.
The results from the 2-point ultrasonography produced using a normal ultrasound machine were compared with those taken from a whole-leg scan using a specially trained doctor and specialized machine.
Both methods were judged to be effective at locating blood clots.
“One of the challenges of modern medicine is that as things get more complex, we have to make sure theyre compared to whats tried and true,” commented Dr. C. Seth Landefeld in an editorial that accompanied the results.
People who are concerned about maintaining healthy circulation may be interested in nutritional supplements containing the Japanese ingredient nattokinase.