pathophysiology of thrombosis and embolism Flashcards
What is stasis of blood
stagnation of flow
What is turbulence of blood
Forceful, unpredictable flow
Describe Virchow’s triad
Factors causing thrombosis:
- Changes in blood vessel wall
- Change in blood constituents
- Change in the pattern of blood flow
What is thrombosis
Formation of a solid mass from the constituents of blood within the vascular system
Describe the formation of a thrombus
- Endothelial injury such as atheroma
- Stasis or turbulent blood flow
- Hypercoagulability of the blood with collagen exposed which causes platelets to adhere
How does atrial fibrillation cause a stroke
The atrial fibrillation causes stagnosis of blood in the right atrium which can lead to a thrombus forming and then embolising to the brain
What is the presentation of rheumatic fever
- painful (flitting) polyarthritis of the large joints such as the wrist, elbow and knees
- fever
- skin rashes
- Heart murmurs
What normally is in the recent past medical history in rheumatic fever
It is precedented by a recent sore throat - group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection
What is aschoff body
It is seen in the heart in acute rheumatic fever
What is valve stenosis
Thickened valve obstructs normal blood flow
What is valvular regurgitation
valve loses normal function and loses the ability to prevent reflux of blood after contraction of a cardiac chamber
What are valvular vegetations
Infective or thrombotic nodules that develop on valve leaflets impairing normal valve mobility
What valve issues are associated with rheumataic heart disease and describe them
Inflammation of the endocardium and left sided valves results in necrosis of the valve causing vegitations - mitral valve most commonly affected causing mitral stenosis
