Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, Embolism Flashcards
Define ‘thrombosis’
Formation of a mass (thrombus) from the constituents of blood within the vasculature during life
How does a thrombus differ from a clot?
Thrombus must form during life in the body; clots can form when blood is extracted post-mortem
What are the 3 components of Virchow’s triad?
Changes in blood flow
Changes in blood coagulability
Endothelial damage
Give some examples of hypercoaguable aquired states
Myocardial infarction Immobility Cancer Prosthesis AF Cardiomyopathy Oral contraceptive use
Arterial thrombi are red. True/False?
False
Where do arterial thrombi often lodge?
Coronary, cerebral, femoral circulations
Define ‘embolism’
Detached intravascular solid/liquid/gas mass carried distal to point of origin
Venous emboli commonly infarct peripheral circulation. True/False?
False Very rare (carried to pul circulation, more likely lodge there)
Give examples of factors causing endothelial injury
Smoking Hyperlipidaemia Hypertension Toxins Infection
Give examples of what happens due to endothelial dysfunction
Increased permeability
Macrophage + platelet adhesion and activation
Once macrophages are activated on the endothelial surface, what do they generate?
Oxidative free radicals
Cytokines
What do oxygen free radicals do to LDL?
Ingest and trap it within macrophages, forming foam cells/fatty streaks
In a pre-test probability (PTP) score for DVT, the scoring does not apply in what situations?
If you have had a previous DVT
If you are pregnant
A PTP score for DVT of 3 or more is high risk. True/False?
True
D-dimer can both rule out and diagnose DVT. True/False?
False