Venous Thromboembolism

Question 1

What is unprovoked and provoked venous thromboembolism?

Answer 1

Provoked VTE can be attributed to either transient/reversible factors, such as surgery, trauma, immobilization, confinement to bed, lengthy travel, oestrogen therapy and pregnancy, or continuing/irreversible factors, such as cancer and the antiphospholipid syndrome.
Unprovoked or idiopathic VTE has no identifiable cause.

Question 2

What is antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 2

In APS, the immune system produces abnormal antibodies called antiphospholipid antibodies. These target proteins attached to fat molecules (phospholipids), which makes the blood more likely to clot

Question 3

Known consequences of VTE

Answer 3

Fatal PE
Risk of recurrent VTE
Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS)
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
Reduced quality of life

Question 4

Name a frequent complication of deep vein thrombosis

Answer 4

Post Thrombotic Syndrome

Question 5

Name a rare complication of deep vein thrombosis

Answer 5

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)

Question 6

What can be screened for in a venous thromboembolism with a low Wells score?

Answer 6

D-dimer, breakdown product of cross linked fibrin

Question 7

What is Phlegmasia cerulea dolens

Answer 7

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens(literally:painful blue edema) is an uncommon severe form ofdeep venous thrombosis which results from extensivethromboticocclusion (blockage by athrombus) of the major and thecollateralveins of an extremity.

Question 8

What type of Heparin is preferred in renal failure

Answer 8

Unfractionated Heparin. Unlike unfractionated heparin (UFH), the low-molecular-weight heparin enoxaparin (Lovenox) is excreted mainly by the kidneys.