Hemostatic Clots, Thrombi And Emboli Flashcards
What is the difference between a thrombus and a hemostatic clot?
They have similar compositions but different origins
What is the origin of hemostatic clot?
It is formed when blood comes into contact with air
What is the origin of a thrombus?
Thrombus forms during life, in an intact vessel
What is an embolus?
This is a detached, mobile mass, generally solid but can be liquid or gaseous, which is transported in the blood to a distant site of the body.
An embolus is a frequent complication of a thrombus
What is a thrombus made of?
A mass of fibrin, RBCs, WBCs and platelets
What is a thromboembolism?
When a detached thrombus travels through the bloodstream and may eventually occlude smaller arteries
Name a common source of solid emboli
Tumour masses
Which type of plaque is most prone to thrombus complication? Why?
Atheroma plaque
It can rupture due to the shear stress of the blood flow and expose surfaces which trigger the processes of thrombus formation
