Vascular Disease: Thrombosis and Embolism

Question 1

Which process limits thrombosis?

Answer 1

Fibrinolysis

Question 2

How is plasminogen converted to plasmin?

Answer 2

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)

Question 3

Which cells secrete tissue plasminogen activator?

Answer 3

Secreted by endothelial cells

Question 4

What are the products of fibrin degradation?

Answer 4

Fibrin degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimers

Question 5

What is the D-dimer test?

Answer 5

. D-dimers are a product of fibrin degradation

. Increased levels of D-dimers can show presence of thrombus

Question 6

What can happen if a thromboembolism blocks a mesenteric artery?

Answer 6

Bowel necrosis

Question 7

What is the most common cause of arterial thromboembolism?

Answer 7

Vessel wall damage (blood in arteries at high BP)

Question 8

What is the most common cause of venous thromboembolism?

Answer 8

Stasis of blood (venous return can go wrong)

Question 9

Name the factors that predispose thrombus formation according to Virchow’s Triad.

Answer 9

Damage to vessel wall, stasis, change in character of blood (e.g. increase platelets or RBCs)