5. Thrombosis & Embolism Flashcards
What is thrombosis?
The formation of a solid mass of blood within the circulation - can be in arteries, veins or the heart itself.
What is Virchow’s triad?
Abnormalities in the vessel wall
Abnormalities in components of blood
Abnormalities in the blood flow
(If patient has 2/3 then risk of thrombosis)
What patients are likely to have hyper-coaguable blood?
Post-partum
Post -op
Smokers
What are the 5 potential outcomes following thrombosis?
Lysis/resolution Propagation Organisation Recanalisation Embolism
What do arterial thrombi look like?
Pale, lines of zahn, low cellular content, granular
What do venous thrombi look like?
Soft, gelatinous, higher cell content, deep red
What happens in recanalisation?
one or more channels formed through an organising thrombus, still incomplete blood flow
What are the potential effects of an arterial and venous thrombus forming?
Arterial - ischaemia,infarction
Venous- oedema, congestion, infarction, oedema
What is an embolism?
Blockage of a vessel by a solid, liquid or gas at a site distant from origin.
> 90% of emboli are ___________.
thrombo-emboli
What other types of emboli are possible?
Amniotic fluid Air Nitrogen Medical equipment Tumour cells
A pulmonary embolism is likely to have travelled from which vessels?
Systemic veins in the leg to the lungs
What are predisposing factors to thrombosis?
Immobility and bed rest Post- operative Pregnancy and postpartum Oral contraceptives Cardiac failure Disseminated cancer
How can DVT be prevented?
Heparin subcutaneously
Leg compression - TED stockings
Flowtron boots - intermittently inflate
Is warfarin used as prophylaxis for DVT?
No, used to treat DVT but not in prophylaxis
