Deep Vein Thrombosis

Question 1

What is a DVT?

Answer 1

A blood clot in one of the deep veins that runs between muscles back to the heart.

Question 2

Where do DVT’s most commonly develop?

Answer 2

In the lower legs, below the knee.

Question 3

How does a DVT form?

Answer 3

• Damage to endothelial of blood vessel
• Platelets adhere to damaged area and are activated by contact with collagen
• Primary Hemostasis occurs (platelet plug is formed)
• Coagulation Cascade activated
• Clot grows in size

Question 4

How can a DVT cause a PE?

Answer 4

Part of Clot breaks free becoming an embolus, travels downstream to heart and then lungs causing pulmonary embolism.

Question 5

If someone with a DVT has an atrial septal defect what can occur?

Answer 5

Embolus can cross through myocardial septum from right atria to left atria and then travel up aorta to brain causing stroke

Question 6

What is the name for the three factors that lead to DVT?

Answer 6

Virchow’s Triad

Question 7

What are the three aspects of Virchow’s Triad?

Answer 7

1. Stasis (slowed blood flow)
2. Hypercoagulation
3. Damage to endothelial cell lining of blood vessel

Question 8

What occurs in Stasis (slowed blood flow)?

Answer 8

Slowed blood causes turbulence where small pockets of blood go very slowly or even stop.
Inactivity of skeletal muscle pump
Think, bed rest, long flights, car rides, pregnancy

Question 9

What is hypercoegulation?

Answer 9

Altered amount of clotting factors in the blood

-Caused by medication, surgery, genetics, birth control

Question 10

What is damage to blood cell endothelial lining?

Answer 10

Damage to endothelial leads to platelet accumulating and activation leading to clot formation.
Damage caused by infection, chronic inflammation, Toxins (tobacco)