What must be true for a patient recovering from chronic thrombotic disease to be eligible for recertification?

For a patient recovering from chronic thrombotic disease to be eligible for recertification, it must be true that there are no residual clots. This is crucial because the presence of residual clots increases the risk of complications such as venous thromboembolism, which can have serious implications for safety while operating a commercial vehicle.

If there are residual clots, the risk of further thrombotic events is heightened, and this condition would not meet the medical standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Ensuring that a patient is free from residual clots indicates that they have recovered sufficiently to manage the responsibilities required of a commercial driver without posing undue risk to themselves or others on the road.

Other factors like symptoms or a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be part of the clinical picture but do not necessarily dictate eligibility for recertification if the patient is free from clots. Thus, the absence of residual clots is a primary concern in ensuring the driver's health and safety.