Question

A 35-year-old man presents with a painful swollen right calf after a long-haul flight. The leg is warm and tender, and DVT is suspected. There are no contraindications to anticoagulation. According to NICE guidance, what is the most appropriate initial diagnostic strategy?

Accepted Answer

Perform an immediate proximal leg vein ultrasound scan and start interim anticoagulation if the scan will be delayed more than 4 hours

Answer

Start anticoagulation only if D-dimer is positive

Answer

Arrange outpatient ultrasound within 2 weeks without anticoagulation

Answer

Request a CT pulmonary angiogram

Answer

Observe without investigation if Wells score is low

Practice question

A 35-year-old man presents with a painful swollen right calf after a long-haul flight. The leg is warm and tender, and DVT is suspected. There are no contraindications to anticoagulation. According to NICE guidance, what is the most appropriate initial diagnostic strategy?