What is Basilic Vein?
It is a large, noticeable vein found on the upper limb that helps deplete parts of forearm and hand. The vein travels up the forearm and attaches with the brachial veins to form the Vena Axillaris (axillary vein).
Basilic Vein Location
This vein arises from the ulnar position of the dorsal plexus of the hand.
Basilic Vein Anatomy
Picture 1 – Basilic Vein
Source – ganfyd
The vein usually passes in the subcutaneous fat layer and other fasciae. Due to this reason, it is generally visible through its path in the skin. However, the vein usually travels deep once is passes through the middle part of the arm proper or the region between the elbow and shoulder. This vein is a possible location for Venipuncture, along with a few other superficial veins present in the forearm.
Basilic Vein Function
The vein helps in circulation of blood from one part of the forearm and hand to another. The vein mostly allows drainage of blood from these areas of the body and allows the blood that is used up to retreat to the heart to get oxygenated. The vein moves up and meets the Cephalic vein that is situated close to the elbow. This finally drains and transports large amounts of blood to the heart from the limbs.
Basilic Vein Thrombosis (BVT)
It is a special kind of Deep vein Thrombosis. This is a common disease that affects the basilic vein. The syndrome arises when there is development of a fairly big blood clot. This may lead to problems like
- Inflammation in the face or arm
- Fever
- Pain in the shoulder and neck
If left untreated, it can result in a number of severe health conditions that include a potentially life-threatening Pulmonary Embolism. If the clot arising in the vein travels to the heart or lungs, death may occur. The condition may arise due to medicinal side effects and high blood pressure.
The good part about the condition is that it can be treated very effectively with the aid of medications.
The medical treatment for this condition involves
Thrombolytics
These drugs cure basilic vein thrombosis by melting blood clots in the basilic vein. However, this type of medicines should only be used in patients suffering from acute health problems as a consequence of basilic vein thrombosis. This is because Thrombolytics can give rise to rapid and acute side effects that include unstoppable bleeding.
Anticoagulants
This is the most common treatment for this condition. Warfarin and Heparin are the two most common blood thinning anticoagulants used for treating this condition. The two drugs are often simultaneously prescribed and the period of treatment generally lasts from anywhere between three and six months. These prevent clotting of blood inside the basilica vein and its subsequent enlargement. However, these do not melt blood clots that exist already.
Surgery
The most common surgical cure for acute Basilic Vein Thrombosis involves implanting a filter inside the superior vena cava vein. This is done to prevent a pulmonary embolism that may arise due to the entry of blood clots into the lungs. The implantation is usually done if the sufferer is intolerant to medications like thrombocytes and anticoagulants that do not show any improvement with the aid of medicines is cured with surgery. Operation may also be performed if blood clot formation in patients cannot be controlled with the aid of medicines.
Home Remedies for Basilic Vein Thrombosis
Mild cases of this condition can be resolved with the help of lifestyle alterations. These include :
- Applying heat to the impacted region of the arm
- Bed Rest
- Raising the arm from the other parts of the body to let blood flow back
- Wearing a compression sleeve on the arm
These remedies can help reduce inflammatioon and avoid accumulation of blood in the Basilic vein. The accruement of blood can increase the size of the existing blood clot.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilic_vein
http://www.ehow.com/about_5255210_basilic-vein-thrombosis-treatment.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-basilic-vein.htm
