Vascular · London and UK
Private DVT clinic, same-day duplex and DOAC.
A same-day vascular consult, compression duplex ultrasound and NICE NG158 anticoagulation plan. Iliofemoral thrombolysis, IVC filter and cancer-associated VTE pathways available on referral, in a small panel of London vascular units.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Same-day duplex ultrasound with a vascular consultant
Not a walk-in scan. A named vascular specialist, whole-leg compression duplex, and a decision on anticoagulation the same afternoon.
- 02
NICE NG158 pathway, done properly
Wells score, D-dimer where appropriate, imaging within four hours or interim DOAC. No shortcuts on iliofemoral or unprovoked cases.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private DVT workup costs in London.
Same-day figures across our vascular panel. Tell us your symptoms and we quote firm numbers within hours.
In short
Same-day vascular consult and duplex: £350 to £650, diagnosis and DOAC the same afternoon.
| Service | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vascular consult + whole-leg compression duplex (same day) | £350 to £650 | 45 to 60 min | Same visit |
| D-dimer + focused two-point duplex (low Wells score) | £220 to £380 | 30 min | Same visit |
| CTPA if concurrent pulmonary embolism suspected | £650 to £1,100 | 30 min | Same day report |
| Catheter-directed thrombolysis (iliofemoral DVT) | £14,000 to £24,000 | 1 to 3 days | Inpatient |
| IVC filter placement (anticoagulation contraindicated) | £8,500 to £14,000 | 60 to 90 min | Day case |
| DOAC (apixaban or rivaroxaban), per day | £2 to £6 per day | Oral | Same day |
Prices vary by unit and by whether thrombolysis, filter placement or CTPA is added. Most insurers fund DVT diagnosis and DOAC when medically indicated.
The journey
From symptoms to DOAC - what happens, in order.
One team from first message to the 6-month reassessment.
- 01
Before
You send us the symptoms
A short, confidential form. Which leg, how long, calf or whole leg, any recent surgery, flight, cancer or hormonal therapy.
- 02
Before
We come back the same day
Within hours: a Wells score, a triage on whether this is a two-week wait or a today problem, and a named vascular unit that can see you.
- 03
Before
We book the duplex and consult
Usually within 4 to 24 hours. Interim DOAC prescribed if imaging is delayed beyond four hours on a high-probability Wells score.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the unit
Vascular history, examination and a compression duplex ultrasound of the whole leg. Bilateral if bilateral symptoms.
- 05
On the day
The diagnosis and the plan
A definite yes or no on the same visit. If positive: anticoagulation started, provoking factors reviewed, PE risk assessed, CTPA if chest symptoms.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
Written aftercare, a DOAC prescription, compression advice, and a 24/7 vascular contact. Early ambulation, not bed rest.
- 07
After
Review, duration and PTS check
Review at 3 to 6 months. HERDOO2 or Vienna model in unprovoked cases. Post-thrombotic syndrome check and extended prophylactic-dose DOAC where indicated.
When it helps
When a private DVT clinic is the right step.
The presentations we see most, and the ones that need a same-day answer rather than a next-week appointment.
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Unilateral swollen, painful calf
The classic presentation. A Wells score, D-dimer where appropriate, and a compression duplex within four hours or an interim DOAC.
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Whole-leg swelling and blue discolouration
Suggests iliofemoral DVT. Higher risk of post-thrombotic syndrome. Duplex plus consideration of catheter-directed thrombolysis.
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Post-surgical, post-flight or immobility DVT
A provoked DVT. Standard three months of DOAC. Provoking factor documented in the notes for future risk decisions.
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Unprovoked DVT with no clear trigger
Three to six months of anticoagulation, then a reassessment with HERDOO2 in women or the Vienna Prediction Model.
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Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism
Preferred DOAC is apixaban or edoxaban on SELECT-D and Caravaggio evidence. Avoid rivaroxaban in luminal GI cancer.
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Suspected concurrent pulmonary embolism
Pleuritic chest pain, breathlessness or a raised heart rate on a leg with DVT. CTPA on the same day, not a next-week appointment.
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Recurrent or unusual-site venous thrombosis
Cerebral, portal, mesenteric or upper limb clots. Selective thrombophilia screen and haematology review before long-term decisions.
-
Red flag: phlegmasia cerulea dolens
A painful, blue, swollen limb with compromised perfusion. This is a vascular emergency and needs same-day thrombolysis assessment.
Diagnosis and treatment options
NICE NG158, DOAC first, thrombolysis for the right patient.
The tests, drugs and procedures in a modern DVT pathway - and where each one fits.
-
Compression duplex ultrasound
The first-line test. Non-compressibility of a vein under the probe confirms DVT. Whole-leg scan preferred, two-point (femoral and popliteal) acceptable with a repeat at 7 days.
-
D-dimer and Wells score
A low Wells score with a negative age-adjusted D-dimer rules out DVT. A high Wells score goes straight to imaging. NICE NG158 defines the pathway.
-
Extended imaging for unusual DVT
Iliocaval CT or MR venography where iliofemoral extent, May-Thurner syndrome or an unusual site is suspected. Not routine for below-knee DVT.
-
CTPA for concurrent PE
Chest symptoms alongside a leg DVT go for CTPA on the same visit. A positive scan changes the treatment intensity and the follow-up plan.
-
DOAC first-line therapy
Apixaban 10 mg twice daily for 7 days then 5 mg twice daily, or rivaroxaban 15 mg twice daily for 21 days then 20 mg once daily. Both are first-line unless contraindicated.
-
Edoxaban or dabigatran
Edoxaban 60 mg once daily and dabigatran 150 mg twice daily both need a 5-day low-molecular-weight heparin lead-in. Used where apixaban and rivaroxaban are unsuitable.
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Catheter-directed thrombolysis
For iliofemoral proximal DVT in carefully selected patients (ATTRACT trial subgroups). Pharmacomechanical AngioJet or ClotTriever reduces post-thrombotic syndrome.
-
IVC filter and May-Thurner stent
IVC filter only when anticoagulation is absolutely contraindicated in acute VTE. Stent placement for May-Thurner syndrome alongside thrombolysis.
Our London vascular panel
A small panel of vascular units, we picked them.
Consultant-led vascular services with same-day duplex, thrombolysis and haematology on-site: St Mary's Vascular (Imperial Private), Royal Free Vascular, HCA The Wellington Vascular, Guy's and St Thomas' Private Vascular, London Bridge Hospital, King's Private Vascular, and Chelsea and Westminster Private.
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Consultant vascular specialists with same-day duplex capability, not a general radiology list
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NICE NG158-compliant pathway with 24/7 anticoagulation prescribing
-
Catheter-directed thrombolysis and IVC filter available on referral
-
Haematology input for selective thrombophilia screening and cancer-associated VTE
Safety and duration
What to expect on treatment - honestly.
The bleeding risk, the duration decision, the post-thrombotic syndrome plan, and when to move to extended prophylactic-dose therapy.
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Early ambulation, not bed rest
Getting up and walking within hours of diagnosis is safe and reduces post-thrombotic syndrome. Bed rest is out of date practice.
-
Bleeding risk on anticoagulation
Major bleeding is around 1 to 2% per year on a DOAC. HAS-BLED and a review of antiplatelets, NSAIDs and alcohol at every visit.
-
Duration is a decision, not a default
Provoked DVT: 3 months. Unprovoked: 3 to 6 months, then reassess. Active cancer: indefinite. Recurrent unprovoked: indefinite in most cases.
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Extended prophylactic-dose DOAC
After 6 months of full-dose therapy in unprovoked DVT, apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily or rivaroxaban 10 mg once daily reduces recurrence with less bleeding.
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Selective thrombophilia screening
Not routine. Screen only where a family history under 50, recurrent unprovoked, unusual site, or antiphospholipid features are present.
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Compression stockings
The SOX trial showed no benefit in general prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome. Selective use for symptom relief and iliofemoral cases.
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HERDOO2 and Vienna models
Structured tools to decide who can safely stop anticoagulation after an unprovoked first DVT. HERDOO2 in women, Vienna model in both sexes.
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Cancer-associated VTE nuances
Apixaban and edoxaban preferred (SELECT-D, Caravaggio). Avoid rivaroxaban in luminal gastrointestinal cancer due to bleeding signal.
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Red flags after discharge
New breathlessness, pleuritic chest pain, coughing blood, sudden calf swelling in the other leg, or heavy bleeding. Call the unit or go to A&E the same day.
Reading your DVT report
Your report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever unit did your duplex, the report keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Header
Which leg, which vein, how far
The side, the deepest and most proximal vein involved (iliac, femoral, popliteal, calf), and whether the clot is occlusive or non-occlusive.
- 02 Technique
Wells score, D-dimer, duplex protocol
Two-point or whole-leg duplex, compressibility, augmentation, and any repeat scan needed at 7 days for equivocal proximal veins.
- 03 Findings
Extent, PE screen and provoking factors
Iliofemoral extent, CTPA result if done, and a documented provoking factor: surgery, immobility, oestrogen, cancer, or none (unprovoked).
- 04 Impression
DOAC, duration and follow-up plan
Read this first: which DOAC and dose, planned duration, HERDOO2 or Vienna reassessment date, and whether thrombolysis or a filter was considered.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about DVT.
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How is a DVT diagnosed in a private clinic?
A vascular consultant takes a Wells score, sends a D-dimer if the pretest probability is low, and performs a compression duplex ultrasound of the leg. Whole-leg scanning is preferred; two-point scanning of the femoral and popliteal veins is acceptable if a repeat scan can be done at 7 days. If pulmonary embolism is suspected, a CTPA is added on the same day.
-
Which DOAC will I be prescribed?
Apixaban 10 mg twice daily for 7 days then 5 mg twice daily, or rivaroxaban 15 mg twice daily for 21 days then 20 mg once daily. Both are NICE NG158 first-line. Edoxaban 60 mg once daily and dabigatran 150 mg twice daily are alternatives but need a 5-day low-molecular-weight heparin lead-in.
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How long will I be on anticoagulation?
A provoked DVT is treated for at least 3 months. An unprovoked DVT is treated for 3 to 6 months, then reassessed using HERDOO2 in women or the Vienna Prediction Model. Active cancer is treated indefinitely while cancer is active. After 6 months, extended prophylactic-dose apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily or rivaroxaban 10 mg once daily is often continued.
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Do I need thrombolysis for an iliofemoral DVT?
Only in selected patients. The ATTRACT trial showed catheter-directed thrombolysis reduces post-thrombotic syndrome in iliofemoral proximal DVT but does not benefit all-comers. Pharmacomechanical devices (AngioJet, ClotTriever) and stenting for May-Thurner syndrome are considered where anatomy and symptoms justify it.
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When is an IVC filter used?
Only when anticoagulation is absolutely contraindicated in acute venous thromboembolism, for example major active bleeding. Filters are retrievable and should be removed once anticoagulation can safely be started. They are not a substitute for a DOAC.
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Do I need a thrombophilia screen?
Selectively, not routinely. Consider it where there is a strong family history under 50, recurrent unprovoked events, unusual-site thrombosis, or features of antiphospholipid syndrome. Testing includes factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, protein C, S and antithrombin, anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant and beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies.
Think you may have a DVT?
Same-day duplex, DOAC and a vascular plan - by this evening.
Tell us the leg, the timeline and any risk factors. We come back within hours with a named vascular unit, a firm price and an appointment.
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