Thrombosis

Question 1

What is a thrombosis?

Answer 1

Unwanted formation of a clot in the venous or arterial circulation.

Question 2

What is venous thrombosis associated with i.e. what causes it?

Answer 2

Blood stasis and damage to VEINS

Question 3

What is a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 3

When the clot has become dislodged, reached the right side of the heart and then been pumped into the lung and caused an occlusion.

Question 4

Describe the levels of RBC, fibrin and platelets in a VENOUS thrombus.

Answer 4

HIGH RBC and fibrin

LOW platelet

Question 5

What is a deep vein thrombosis and when is it most likely to occur?

Answer 5

Type of venous thrombosis in the deep vein of the leg. If often occurs on long haul flights = haven’t been moving = blood stasis. If it stays in leg, will see swelling bellow the clot bc blood can’t pass

Question 6

What are the symptoms of DVT?

Answer 6

Oedema, tenderness, pain, increased temp

*risk of pulmonary embolism esp if above knee)

Question 7

What are the risk factors of DVT?

Answer 7

Over 40, varicose veins, immobility, surgery, oral contraceptives (oestrogen), HT, long haul flights

Question 8

How do we investigate/diagnose DVT?

Answer 8

1. ) Clinical assessment - how does leg look?
2. ) Venography - dye into vein and x-ray
3. ) Doppler ultrasound - use soundwaves
4. )D-dimer - measure fibrin content - will pick up if bits of thrombus have broken off

Question 9

What are the symptoms of an acute massive pulmonary embolism?

Answer 9

Sudden breathlessness, pain in chest, coughing up bright red blood, tachycardia

Question 10

Where is an arterial thrombosis likely to occur?

Answer 10

At the site of an atheroscleotic plaque following rupture

Question 11

Describe the levels of fibrin and platelets in a ARTERIAL thrombus.

Answer 11

LOW fibrin, HIGH platelet

Question 12

When is a cardiogenic embolism likely to occur?

Answer 12

As a result of atrial fibrilation = blood pools in the atria and clots

Question 13

What organs will a cardiogenic embolism occlude?

Answer 13

Depends on where it travels to - could return to the heart = MI, could go to the cerebral systems and cause a stroke or could go to legs, arms and less frequently to other organs such as the kidney.

Question 14

What is the difference between a cerebral infarction and a cerebral haemorrhage?

Answer 14

cerebral infarction = occlusion of vessel in cerebral system = brain damage
Haemorrhage = aneurysm in the brain = brain damage
Both can cause stroke , infarction is more common but haemorrhage is more severe

Question 15

What are the symptoms of a stroke/ TIA?

Answer 15

Face drooped - unable to smile
Arms - unable to keep them up
Speech - slurred

Question 16

What is the difference between stroke and TIA?

Answer 16

A TIA will have the same symptoms as a stroke but the occlusion only lasts for a few minutes and symptoms will last less than 24 hours. Can have TIA’s without knowing - will have major stroke and only then on brainscan will you see that have been having multiple TIA’s

Question 17

What are the risk factors for stroke/TIA?

Answer 17

Age, gender, family history, ethnicity, genetic, HT, AF, diabetes, smoking.