Thrombosis and Risk factors for thrombosis Flashcards
What are the 3 factors that contribute to increased risk of thrombosis (Virchow’s triad)?
- Change in blood flow (stasis)
- Change in blood composition (hyper coagulation)
- Damage to vascular endothelium
What is the primary pathological reason for arterial thrombosis?
Atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture
- platelet aggregation and thrombi formation
- increased with obesity, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, family history, inactivity, male,, age
What are the main causes for venous thrombi?
Stasis - lack of flow due to venous damage/compression
Hyper coagulability - thrombi composed of FIBRIN rather than platelet aggregation/accumulation
How does venous thrombi present?
DVT - swelling, warm, painful to touch
What is the main complication of DVT?
Pulmonary embolism
What are the clinical presentations of PE?
Syncope
AF (new)
Cough - haemoptysis
What are the complications of venous thromboembolism?
- Sudden death
- Post thrombotic syndrome - chronic leg swelling, discomfort, ulceration
What is the definition of hospital acquired venous thromboembolism?
VTE within 90 days of discharge
What does the care pathway for venous thromboembolism comprise?
1 Assess risk for VTE
2 Assess bleeding risk (due to anti coagulant drugs being view)
3 VTE prophylaxis (mechanical/pharmaceutical depending on bleeding risk)
4 Assess risks
What are the risk factors for VTE?
- Cancer/treatment
- > 60yrs old
- Trauma/surgery
- Dehydration
- Thrombophilias (blood conditions)
- Comorbilities e.g. MI
- Immobility
- HRT/oestrogen
- History of VTE
- Family history of VTE
- Pregnancy
- Obesity (>30 BMI)
- Varicose veins
What comprise the pro-coagulant and anti-coagulant factors?
Procoagulant - platelets and clotting factors
Anticoagulant - protein C/S, AT-III, fibrinolytic system
What is the general advice for people at risk of VTE?
_ensure they are well hydrated
- ensure they are mobile asap
- Aspirin/other antiplatelts = not adequate prophylaxis
Name a mechanical form of VTE prophylaxis?
Compression stockings (increasing compression as you go down leg)
What are the pharmacological VTE prophylaxis?
Low dose low molecular weight heparin
Dabigatran - thrombin inhibitor
Apixaban - factor X inhibitor
Fondaparinox - antiXa inhibitor
How does heparin induce its effects?
Activates Antithrombin or inhibits Xa (different ways)