Thrombus and DVT: Final Exam Flashcards
Define Thrombus.
A blood clot! A thrombus is the final product of the blood coagulation in hemostasis.
Define Embolism.
An embolism occurs when a piece of a blood clot or foreign object gets stuck in a blood vessel and obstructs blood flow.
Define Thromboembolism,
when a blood clot (thrombus) that forms in a blood vessel, breaks loose and is carried by the bloodstream to block another blood vessel.
Define DVT.
A blood clot in one of the deep veins.
Pathophysiology of Thrombus Development.
- The first step begins with damage to the endothelium
- The damaged cells cause vasoconstriction (to limit blood loss)
- The damaged cells express VCAM-1, which attracts platelets to the vessel wall
- The platelets begin to stick together and adhere to the damaged site
- The binding of platelets to the collagen in the vessel will cause the platelets to expand and change in form
- The activated platelets cause more platelets to be attracted to the damaged site
- Ultimately forming a platelet plug
- Prothrombin transforms into thrombin which cleaves fibrinogen into fibrin
- Fibrin meshes the aggregated platelets and ultimately forms a clot!
What Risks are Accompanies with DVT?
DVT poses a great risk for pulmonary embolism or coronary embolism. The development of a thrombus could lead to thromboembolism which will lodge within a coronary artery or within the lungs, creating a blockage.
Factors that Lead to DVT.
- Slowed Blood Flow (stasis)
- Hypercoagulation (altered amount of clotting factors)
- Damage to the Blood Vessels
Define Hypercoagualtion.
This blood clotting disorder is genetic or can be caused by endogenous control failure.
Pregnancy and birth control medications are risk factors for developing DVT!
Why? High estrogen levels affect blood clotting by increasing fibrinogen and the activity of the coagulation factors!
Pulmonary Embolism Signs and Symptoms.
- Shortness of breath
- Low O2 saturation
- Chest Pain
Treatments for DVT and Embolism.
- Anticoagulants
- Thrombolytics
