lecture 10 - venous thrombosis Flashcards
What is the difference between a thrombus and an embolus?
A thrombus is a clot/solid mass in a blood vessel/in the heart. An embolus is a free-floating mass in a blood vessel, and is usually made up of a thrombus.
What is an embolism?
The lodging of an embolus in tissue
What are the 2 types of thrombus, based on where they occur?
Venous thrombus, arterial thrombus
What causes a venous thrombosis to form?
Stasis of blood in a vein
Where do venous thromboses usually occur?
In the deep veins in the legs
What type of drug is used to treat a venous thormbosis?
Anticoagulants
What is the cause of an arterial thrombosis
Damaged endothelium, typically at an atherosclerotic plaque
What class of drug is mainly used to treat arterial thrombosis?
Anti-platelet drugs
What are the important risk factors for a DVT (deep vein thrombosis)?
Trauma/fracture/leg surgery, demobilisation, obesity, pregnancy, increasing age, oral contraceptives
Why does stasis in the deep veins of the legs often lead to thrombosis?
Slow/low blood flow causes vein endothelium to become hypoxic/damaged, leading to endothelial cell activation which causes a thrombus to form.
What is a saddle emboli?
A long thin embolus that has become lodged at a junction of 2 vessels, causing a saddle shape that blocks both.
What is the main complication of a DVT?
Pulmonary embolism
What are the diagnostic tests for DVT?
D-dimers, venography (look for non-compressible vein)
