Thrombosis

Question 1

What are some thrombotic risk factors

Answer 1

Post-op, pregnancy, long-haul flights, cancer, and obesity

Question 2

Outline presentations of DVT’s

Answer 2

May be clinically silent, unilateral calf swelling/ heat/ pain/ redness/ hardness.
potentially fatal if missed.

Question 3

What is the initial and subsequent treatment for DVT

Answer 3

therapeutic anti-coagulation using sub-cut heparin, dosing according to the patient’s weight.

subsequent: load patient with oral warfarin 3-5 days
1st DVT: 6 months warfarin
2nd DVT: lifelong warfarin

Question 4

What are the symptoms of different PE

Answer 4

microemboli: asymptomatic
classic: pleuritic pain, dyspnoea, haemoptysis
massive: syncope, death

Question 5

What is the treatment for massive PE

Answer 5

thrombolysis and iv heparin

Question 6

What is the standard treatment for PE

Answer 6

LMW heparin injections e.g. tinzaparin
warfarin for 6 months
consider underlying cause