Arterial thrombosis (CV)

Question 1

Define arterial thrombosis.

Answer 1

Blood clot in an artery, which may prevent blood reaching organs

Question 2

When do symptoms of arterial thrombosis start?

Answer 2

May not cause symptoms until blood flow to part of the body is blocked off

Question 3

What are the causes of arterial thrombosis? (3)

Answer 3

• atherosclerosis - main cause
• atrial fibrillation
• antiphospholipid syndrome

Question 4

What are the different conditions that arterial thrombosis can cause? (4)

Answer 4

• MI - chest pain, SOB, dizziness
• stroke - unilateral facial paralysis and weakness, slurred speech
• transient ischaemic attack - mini stroke (blood flow to brain temporarily blocked –> short-lived stroke symptoms)
• acute limb ischaemia - blood supply to limb blocked –> pain, pallor, pulselessness, paraesthesia, paralysis, perishingly cold

Question 5

How can you reduce the risk of arterial thrombosis?

Answer 5

By lowering atherosclerosis risk:

• changing lifestyle factors - stop smoking, diet, exercise, weight loss, alcohol reduction
• medications - statins, anti-hypertensives, anticoagulants (warfarin), antiplatelets (aspirin/clopidogrel)

Question 6

How can we treat arterial thrombosis? (4)

Answer 6

• thrombolysis - dissolve blood clot
• embolectomy - surgery to remove clot
• angioplasty - surgery to widen affected artery
• CABG - surgery to divert blood around blocked artery