OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics, treatment and preventive measures of ischemic stroke (IS) complicated by lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the elderly. Methods: To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 37 patients with IS complicated by DVT in the lower extremities admitted from January 2002 to December 2006. Results: Among the 37 patients in this group, 19 were male and 18 were female, with an average age of 76.3 years, 15 with hypertension, 7 with hyperlipidemia, and 11 with diabetes mellitus. The clinical manifestations of DVT were: swelling, pain, superficial varicose veins, and increased skin temperature in the affected limbs. The clinical manifestations of DVT were: swelling, pain, superficial varicose veins and increased skin temperature. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound or venography; after regular treatment with thrombolysis and anticoagulation, the difference in circumference between the affected limb and the healthy side was reduced from (4.9±3.8) cm to (1.9±1.6) cm before treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Advanced age, bed rest and blood hypercoagulation are the main causes of DVT in lower limbs complicated by ischemic stroke, and the combination of regular thrombolysis and anticoagulation can effectively treat DVT in IS.