Arterial thrombosis and anti-platelet drugs

Question 1

What is the effect of arterial system being high pressure?

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis due to endothelial damage

Question 2

What is the precipitating factor for arterial thrombus?

Answer 2

atherosclerosis

Question 3

What is the composition of arterial thrombus?

Answer 3

Platelet rich

Question 4

What treatment is given for arterial thrombosis?

Answer 4

Aspirin

Other anti-platelet drugs modify risk factors of atherosclerosis

Question 5

What are stable atherosclerotic plaques?

Answer 5

Hyalinised and calcified

Stable plaques: stable angina (coronary artery), intermittent claudication (leg artery)

Question 6

What are unstable plaques?

Answer 6

Plaques rupture, platelets are recruited and cause acute thrombosis
Sudden onset of symptoms
Unstable angina or myocardial infarction (coronary arteries)
Stroke (cerebral arteries)

Question 7

Risk factors for arterial thrombosis

Answer 7

Hypertension - damage to endothelium, platelet activation

Smoking - endothelium, platelets

High cholesterol - accumulated in plaque

Diabetes mellitus - high glucose damages endothelium, activate platelet, and increase lipid

Question 8

How are arterial thrombi prevented?

Answer 8

Stop smoking
Treat hypertension
Treat diabetes
Lower cholesterol
Anti-platelet drugs