Unit 12: Hematology Flashcards
Venous thrombi are formed due to
Venous stasis, vascular endothelial wall injury, hypercoagulability
Risk factors for venous thrombus
Prolonged immobility, varicose veins, obesity, pregnancy, recent surgery, thrombophilia
Major source of pulmonary embolism
DVT in lower extremity
A fibrillation
Loss of coordination of electrical and mechanical activity in atria; thrombi can form in left atrial appendage due to impaired ventricle filling and incomplete emptying of atria
Goals of A fib treatment
Prevention of TIA with anticoagulants, restore SR, control of ventricular rate
Mechanical prosthetic valves require
Lifelong anticoagulation
Final step in clotting cascade
Formation of thrombin (IIA)
Converts fibrinogen to fibrin to form a clot
Extrinsic clotting pathway
Initiated by components from blood with factor VII as initiating factor
Intrinsic clotting pathway
Initiated when blood comes into contact with foreign surface such as a prosthetic device
Factor XII is initiating factor
Both clotting pathways converge at
Factor X
Converts prothrombin to thrombin
Antithrombin III
Blocks clotting factors IIa, VIIa, IXa, Xa, XIa, XIIa
Protein C, S, Z
Prevent excess clot formation by inactivating Va and VIIIa
Venous thrombi form in
Areas of sluggish blood flow and contain primarily red cells held together with fibrin
Arterial thrombi form in
Areas of high blood flow and composed primarily of platelets bound with fibrin strands
S/S of DVT
erythema, pain, swelling, venous distention, warmth
50% have no symptoms
Increased D-Dimer
Gold standard for diagnosing a DVT
Contrast enhanced venography
S/S A fib
Palpitations, chest pain, SOB, weakness, decreased BP, dizziness, syncope, irregular pulse
ECG for A Fib
Irregularly irregular rhythm, absence of P waves, ventricular rate 100-180
Heparin indicated for
Treatment and prevention of VTE and acute coronary syndromes and hospitalized patients undergoing cardiac procedures
Warfarin indicated for
Prevention of valve thrombosis, prevention of VTE in orthopedic or abdominal surgery and tx/prevention of VTE
CI to anticoagulation
Recent hemorrhagic stroke, active major bleeding, recent trauma or surgery, immediate postop after CNS or ocular surgery, aneurysms
Warfarin CI in pregnancy