Where are deep vein thromboses (DVT) more likely to embolize to?

Deep vein thromboses (DVT) are blood clots that typically form in the deep veins of the legs. When these clots dislodge, they can travel through the venous circulation. The most common destination for these emboli is the lungs. This can lead to a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition where a clot obstructs blood flow in the pulmonary arteries.

Once a DVT dislodges, it travels through the right side of the heart, which further propels it into the pulmonary arteries. Therefore, the lungs are the primary site where DVTs are likely to cause significant clinical complications.

While the heart is anatomically connected, it is not a typical destination for embolization from DVTs in the way the lungs are. The path the embolus would normally take is directly to the lungs after passing through the heart. Hence, the lungs and heart are appropriate destinations regarding the pulmonary embolization process associated with DVTs.