Perfusion Part 4 - Thrombi

Question 1

What are 5 risk factors for developing thrombi?

Answer 1

1. Blood stasis (ex: bedrest, decreased mobility post-surgery).
2. High estrogen (ex: during pregnancy, patients taking birth control).
3. Smoking.
4. Blood clotting disorders (ex: hypercoaguability due to genetic disease, endogenous control failures, antithrombin III deficiency)
5. Surgery: injury to the vessel or embolus from another area (ex: orthopaedic surgery)

Question 2

What life-threatening situation can be caused by DVT?

Answer 2

Pulmonary embolism: embolus dislodges from legs and moves up to lungs.

Question 3

What are 4 signs & symptoms of pulmonary embolism?

Answer 3

1. SoB
2. Low O2 sat relative to normal range.
3. Compensatory mechanisms
4. Chest pain

Question 4

How do we diagnose pulmonary embolisms?

Answer 4

CT scans.

Question 5

How can we prevent pulmonary embolisms? (3 ways)

Answer 5

1. Early mobilization post surgery.
2. Compression stockings.
3. Anticoagulation pre/during/post surgery (heparins & LMWHs)

Question 6

How do we treat pulmonary embolisms in an ER situation?

Answer 6

Thrombolytics.