Venous Thromboembolism Flashcards
What are the most common presentations of venous thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
What is Virchow’s triad?
Stasis (alterations in blood flow so that the blood is sitting there ready to coagulate), vessel wall injury and hypercoagulability (alterations in constituents of blood either inherited or acquired) cause thrombosis
What is a MAJOR risk factor for recurrent VTE?
Previous thrombotic event
Chronic conditions that are acquired risk factors of VTE
Malignancy, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, myeloproliferative disorders
Chronic diseases, obesity, advanced age, smoking
Transient states that are acquired risk factors of VTE
Surgery, trauma, immobilization
Female specific acquired risk factors of VTE
Pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives
Inherited risk factors of VTE
Factor V Leiden mutation of prothrombin gene mutation
What are the classic symptoms of a DVT?
Swelling, pain and erythema of the involved extremity
What is the most useful finding for a DVT?
Larger calf diameter
Wells scoring for DVT
Paralysis/orthopedic casting Bedridden/major surgery within 4 wks Localized tenderness Swelling of leg Calf swelling Pitting edema Collateral non varicose superficial veins Active cancer/ or last 6 mos Alternate diagnosis more likely (-2)
What do you do after calculating pretest probability and they have a low or moderate probability of a DVT?
Do a serum D-dimer
What is a serum D-dimer?
Degradation product of cross-linked fibrin (clots)
Detectable at levels higher than 500 ng/mL in almost all VTE pts (use ELISA)
Sensitive but not specific for DVT so only useful when NEGATIVE (and low probability because then they don’t have it)
What are the other diagnostic tests for DVT?
Contrast venography
Impedance plethysmography
Compression ultrasound**
What do you see on compression ultrasound in a DVT?
Loss of vein compressibility because the clot is in the way
Doppler assesses blood flow to the given region
When do you need to treat a DVT?
Always for proximal DVTs (popliteal, femoral, iliac) because secondary to risk of PE and death
Appropriate for many distal DVTs especially when they have sxs
What is the purpose of DVT treatment?
Prevent further clot propagation
Prevent PE
Decrease risk of recurrent VTE
Decrease complications (post-thrombophlebitic syndrome caused by chronic venous insufficiency)
What is the mainstay of DVT therapy?
Anticoagulation
Initial anticoagulation therapy for DVT
0-10 days is the period of highest risk for recurrent thrombosis or embolization so this tx is for that
What is the minimum amt of time for anticoagulation therapy?
3 months (long term but finite)
What else is recommended in the tx of DVT?
Early ambulation for fully anticoagulated, hemodynamically stable and pts whose sxs are under control
What are elastic graduated compression stockings used for?
Prevention of post thrombotic syndrome
Causes of upper extremity DVT
Spontaneous
Secondary (more common) to catheter placement of prothrombotic states
What is superficial thrombophlebitis?
Not a DVT but usually caused by a peripherally inserted IV into a small vein
Tx with local heat and NSAIDs and usually goes away in 1-2 wks
What material can cause a pulmonary embolism?
Thrombus, tumor, air or fat
What is the most common cause of pulmonary embolism?
DVT (mostly proximal, isolated calf DVT is much less frequent)