Thrombosis & Embolism Flashcards
1
Q
What does thrombosis usually form due to?
A
- Damage to a blood vessel wall
- Abnormal blood flow
- Abnormal blood composition
2
Q
What is Virchow’s triad?
A
Describes the three broad categories that are thought to contribute to thrombosis
- Stasis of blood flow
- Vessel wall injury
- Hypercoagulability
3
Q
Describe the progression of thrombus…
A
- Platelets are deposited on damaged endothelium
- Covered by layers of fibrin
- RBCs may get tangled up in the clot
- May develop in layers
4
Q
How can thrombi be classified?
A
- Size
- Appearance & Physical characteristics
5
Q
How are thrombi classified on size?
A
- Large vessel thrombosis
- deep vein
- coronary vessel
- Microvascular thrombosis
- septicaemia in meningitis
- disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
6
Q
How are thrombi classified on appearance and physical characteristics…
A
- Colour
- red thrombi
- pale thrombi
- Components
- platelets
- fibrin
- Occlusion
- partial or full vessel obstruction
7
Q
What are the sequelae of thrombosis?
A
The clot undergoes
- Lysis
- Recanalisation
- Organisation
Or becomes:
- Detached as an embolism
Or if it stays attached but doesn’t break down
- Ischaemia & Infarction can occur
8
Q
Describe Ante mortem thrombi…
A
- Attached to the vessel wall
- Not the shape of the vessel
- Rough and stringy
- Red/ grey
- Layers
9
Q
Describe Post mortem clots…
A
- Not attached to vessel wall
- In the mould of the vessel
- Smooth & glistening
- Dark red or gelatinous yellow
- No layering
10
Q
What is an embolism?
A
An abnormal mass circulating in the blood stream
11
Q
What is a thromboembolism?
A
- Bits of thrombus break off and circulate
- These bits get stick
- Causes ischaemia and infarction
12
Q
What are the different types of embolism?
A
- Thromboembolism
- Gas embolism
- Fat embolism
