DVT and PE Flashcards
Signs of DVT
Painful swollen leg, redness, heat vein tenderness, pitting oedema
Signs of PE
Sudden SOB pleuritic pain, collapse, haemoptysis, hypoxia, tachychardia
D-Dimer
Breakdown product of cross linked fibrin
-ve for d-dimer and low risk score unlikely
+ve simply supports pre tests, if low risk score on tests but still positive check
PE-VQ scan
compares perfusion to ventilation, less radiation the CT scan so better for pregnant women
Why is a PE serious
Can cause right sided heart strain and failure, if saddle embolism can block of both arteries fatal
What is post thrombotic syndrome?
Pain oedema, hyperpigmentation, eczema, varicose veins, venous ulceration
What is the occurrence of post thrombotic syndrome
1/3 experience within 5 years of DVT
Treatment for DVT
Oral antigoagulants- rivaroxaban
Small subset thrombolysis
Treatment for PE
High risk groups- thrombolysis then oral anticoagulants
Low risk groups- oral anticoagulants
Why in arteries is thrombolysis not as effective?
As the clots or platelet not fibrin rich so won’t be broken down as well
In a provoked Venous thromboembolism how long is the treatment if irreversible factors caused it
3-6 month or lifelong depending on individual
In a provoked VTE how long is the treatment if the factors are reversible e.g. clot due to trauma
3-6 months only
