Associated Press
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Vice President Cheney went to George Washington University Hospital yesterday morning after experiencing discomfort in his left leg, where a blood clot was recently discovered.

After consulting with his doctors, Cheney was asked to return to the hospital for repeat ultrasound imaging of the deep venous thrombosis, or clot, in that leg, said his 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 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 probably would have to be treated with blood-thinning medication for several months.

Spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride said at the time that Cheney, 66, had visited his doctor's office on March 5 after feeling minor discomfort in his calf. An ultrasound showed the blood clot in the lower part of his left leg.

Blood clots that form deep in the legs can become killers if they break off and float into the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis strikes an estimated 2 million Americans each year, killing 60,000.