I have old blood clot in subclavian vein that won't dissolve anymore.what is the risk of that clot breaking free? afraid of pe. normal life possible?

Chronic thrombus : Chronic thrombus or old clot usually hardens and organizes and will usually not break off. The risky clot is acute loose clot. Also clot from the upper body usually does not embolize. Overall risk of pulmonary embolus is low.

What's the cause?: First, you need to find out why you had the blood clot, was it related to an intravenous catheter? Or are you at risk (from genetics) for thrombosis? Blood clots in the subclavian is usually central line related....

Probably low: After a few weeks the risk of this clot becoming a pe is low. However, it can be a trigger for repeat events. Subclavian vein clot is usually associated with narrowing of the vein from the thoracic outlet. Consultation with interventional radiology and vascular surgery is useful for definitive treatment.

Low risk: Blood clots matured over 3-5 days become adherent to the wall of the vein; similar to how jello sets and is stuck to a bowl. Hard to shake it loose. Mature clots can slowly resolve over time or become areas of scars or webs. Coumadin (warfarin) therapy is not designed to dissolve blood clots; but rather to prevent new clots from forming on the old mature clots. New clots are fragile and can break off pe..

Low risk.: A clot in the subclavian vein is usually due to either a catheter that was in the vein or as a result of something called thoracic outlet syndrome. Assuming that the reason for the clot is known and that the clot is old, the risk of this breaking free and the risk of pe is extremely low. Old clots don't migrate. An ultrasound will help to determine the status and age of the clot.

Virtually no risk: A chronic or old clot in your subclavian vein poses virtually no risk to cause a PE in the future. Chronic clot is hard and very attached to the wall of the vein.