17th January 2024

A 56-year-old female presents with right lower limb swelling and tenderness, and she says she is worried she could have a deep vein thrombosis, as she had one several years ago, and the symptoms are the same.

A 56-year-old female presents with right lower limb swelling and tenderness, and she says she is worried she could have a deep vein thrombosis, as she had one several years ago, and the symptoms are the same. You confirm her calf is swollen, erythematous and tender on examination. Her observations are completely normal. When prompted, she reports that she has become slightly breathless whilst walking upstairs for the last few days. She also has some pleuritic-sounding chest pain, but she has put this down to walking into the banister the other day. 

What is the most appropriate initial investigation for this patient?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.