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Cheney visits hospital after problem with leg

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 21, 2007

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney went to the hospital Tuesday after experiencing discomfort in his left lower leg, where a blood clot was recently discovered.

After consulting with his doctors, Cheney was asked to return to George Washington University Hospital for repeat ultrasound imaging of the deep venous thrombosis, or clot, in that leg, said spokeswoman Megan McGinn.

"The ultrasound revealed no extension or complication of the clot," she said. "His blood thinning medication was found to be therapeutic. These results are expected and reassuring, and the current course of treatment will continue."

Cheney, 66, returned to the White House to resume his normal schedule, she said.

Just over two weeks ago, doctors discovered a blood clot in the vice president's leg. They said at the time that he likely would have to be treated with blood-thinning medication for several months.

Spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride said at the time that Cheney had visited his doctor's office on March 5 after feeling minor discomfort in his calf. An ultrasound showed the blood clot - called a deep venous thrombosis - in his left lower leg.

Dr. Cameron Akbari, a vascular surgeon at Washington Hospital Center, said Tuesday's episode left very little to be worried about. Clots take months to dissipate, and "it's not at all uncommon" for patients to experience occasional pain during that period, he said.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 02:16:13]