Deep vein thrombosis & pulmonary thromboembolism Flashcards
what is deep vein thrombosis
it is thrombosis in a vein lying deep below the skin, especially in the legs
when does deep vein thrombosis occur
when a thrombus forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs
what can deep vein thrombosis cause
leg pain or swelling, but can also occur with no symptoms
what can sometimes occur for no apparent reason
DVT
list things that increase getting DVT
inactivity staying in hospital blood vessel damage medical conditions genetic conditions pregnancy contraceptive pills hormone replacement therapy
state a medical condition that can cause DVT
vasculitis, varicose veins
state conditions that increase your risk of getting DVT
cancer heart disease infectious conditions inflammatory conditions thrombophilia anti-phospholipid syndrome
how can cancer increase your chance of getting DVT
cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can increase your risk of getting DVT
state a genetic condition that increases your risk of getting DVT
thrombophilia, it is a genetic condition where your blood has an increased tendency to clot
state an immune system disorder that increases your risk of getting DVT
anti-phospholipid syndrome, this disorder causes an increased risk of blood clots
state other causes of DVT
being overweight being obese smoking dehydration being over 60
what is the treatment of DVT
medicines called anticoagulants, these drugs prevent blood clot getting bigger and can prevent an embolism
what are anticoagulants referred to as
blood thinning medicines, however, they do not thin blood, they prevent clots forming so easily
state 2 anticoagulants used to treat DVT
heparin
warfarin
describe heparin treatment of DVT
heparin works immediately to prevent further clotting, it is injected straight into one of your veins generally
what are the 2 forms of heparin available
standard heparin
low molecular weight heparin
what are side effects of heparin
skin rash
bleeding
allergic reactions
weakening of the bones
describe warfarin treatment of DVT
warfarin is taken as a tablet, it prevents further blood clots occurring
what are 2 main complications of deep vein thrombosis
pulmonary embolism
post-thrombotic syndrome
what is the most serious complication of DVT
pulmonary embolism
When does pulmonary embolism occur as a complication of DVT
it happens when a piece of blood clot breaks off and travels through your bloodstream to your lungs, where it blocks one of the blood vessels
what is post-thrombotic syndrome
it is the occurrence of long term symptoms after having a DVT
what percentage of people with history of DVT does post-thrombotic syndrome affect?
20-40%
what do the symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome include
calf pain
swelling
a rash
ulcers on the calf
what increases your risk of getting post-thrombotic syndrome
if your DVT is in your thigh vein
if you are overweight
if you have more than one DVT in the same leg
