PP: Thrombosis And Embolism Flashcards
Define thrombosis.
Formation of a solid mass of blood within the circumlocutory system.
Describe some predisposing factors of thrombosis.
- Abnormalities of the vessel wall: atheroma, inflammation
- Abnormalities of blood flow: stagnation, turbulence
- Abnormalities of blood components: Smokers, post-partum, post-op
Name and describe some outcomes of thrombosis.
- Lysis (cmplete dissolution of thrombus
- Propagation (progressive spread and enlargement of thrombus)
- Organisation (lumen remains obstructed as there is an in growth of fibroblasts and capillaries)
- Recanalisation: (incomplete bloodflow re-established)
Define embolism.
The bockage of a blood vessel by solid, liquid or gas at a site distant from its origin.
Name 5 other types of embolism.
- air
- amniotic fluid
- fat
- medical equipment
- tumour cells
Describe how to treat thromboembolic disease.
- IV heparin type drugs
- Oral warfarin
How does an atrial thrombi appear?
- Pale
- Granular
- Lines of Zahn
- Lower cell content
How does a venous thrombi appear?
- Soft
- Gelatinous
- Deep red
- Higher cell count
During propagation, where does a thrombus spread to in arteries?
distally
During propagation, where does a thrombus spread to in veins?
proximally
What are the effects of an arterial thrombosis?
- Ischemia
- Infarction
(largely dependant on collateral support)
What are the effects of a venous thrombosis?
- Congestion
- Oedema
- Ischemia
- Infarction
Name some pre-disposing factors for DVT.
- Immobility
- Post-operative
- pregnancy
- oral contraceptives
- severe burns
- cardiac failure
- disseminated cancer
