J blood clotINTRODUCTION : » Venous thromboembolism (VTE) A condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a vein, which in some cases then breaks free and enters the circulation as an embolus, finally lodging in and completely obstructing a blood vessel, e.g., in lungs causing a PE (PULMONARY EMBOLISM) « The most common type of venous thromboembolism is DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS, which occurs in veins deep within the muscles of the leg,arm and pelvis. » Asuperficial venous thrombosis (also called phlebitis or superficial thrombophlebitis) is a blood clot that develops in a vein close to the surface of the skin. These types of blood clots do not usually travel to the lungs unless they move from the superficial system into the deep venous system first.DEF: Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in one of the deep veins of the body, usually in the legSymptoms Common symptoms include : * swelling in your foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side * cramping pain in your affected leg that usually begins in your calf * severe, unexplained pain in your foot and ankle + Anarea of skin that feels warmer than the skin on the surrounding areas « skin over the affected area turning pale or a reddish or bluish colorETIOLOGY ete cei) A Lower abt. eh} : Pearl nace involve POCee UTA me lt obit Popliteal, Femoral, iliac systemVirchow triad More than 100 years ago, Rudolf Virchow described a triad of factors ofVenous stasis prolonged bed rest (4 days or more) +A cast on the leg «Limb paralysis from stroke *spinal cord injury extended travel in a vehicleHypercoagulability + Surgery and trauma - 40% of all thrombo embolic disease * Malignancy + increased estrogen * Inherited disorders of coagulation -Deficiencies of protein-S, protein-C, anti-thrombin III. * Acquired disorders of eoagulation- Nephrotic syndrome, Anti- phospholipid antibodiesEndothelial Injury *Trauma =Surgery * Invasive procedure *Iatrogenic causes — central venous catheters > Subclavian » Internal jugular lines These lines cause of upper extremity DVT.Pathophysiology Vessel trauma stimulates the clotting cascade. Platelets aggregate at the site particularly when venous stasis present Platelets and fibrin form the initial clot RBC are trapped in the fibrin meshworkThe thrombus propagates in the direction of the blood flow. Inflammation is triggered, causing tenderness, swelling, and erythema. Pieces of thrombus may break loose and travel through circulation- emboli. Fibroblasts eventually invade the thrombus, scarring vein wall and destroying valves. Patency may be restored valve damage is permanent, affecting directional flow.Presentation and Physical Examination *Calf pain or tenderness, or both Swelling with pitting oedema «Increased skin temperature and fever Superficial venous dilatation *Cyanosis can occur with severe obstruction +Less frequent manifestations of venous thrombosis include > Phlegmasia alba dolens, > Phlegmasia cerulea dolens, and > Venous gangrene. These are clinical spectrum of the same disorder.RISK FACTORS PROLONGED BED REST, SUCH AS DURING A LONG HOSPITAL STAY, OR PARALYSIS. WHEN YOUR LEGS REMAIN STILL FOR LONG PERIODS, YOUR CALF MUSCLES DON'T CONTRACT TO HELP BLOOD CIRCULATE, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF BLOOD CLOTS. INJURY OR SURGERY. INJURY TO YOUR VEINS OR SURGERY CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF BLOOD CLOTS. BIRTH CONTROL PILLS OR HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY. BIRTH CONTROL PILLS (ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES) AND HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY BOTH CAN INCREASE YOUR BLOOD’S ABILITY To cLoT. BEING OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE, BEING OVERWEIGHT INCREASES THE PRESSURE IN THE VEINS IN YOUR PELVIS AND LEGS. SMOKING. SMOKING AFFECTS BLOOD CLOTTING AND CIRCULATION, WHICH CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF pvr. CANCER. SOME FORMS OF CANCER INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCES IN YOUR BLOOD THAT CAUSE YOUR BLOOD TO CLOT. SOME FORMS OF CANCER TREATMENT ALSO INCREASE THE RISK OF BLOOD CLOTS. HEART FAILURE. PEOPLE WITH HEART FAILURE HAVE A GREATER RISK OF DVT AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM. BECAUSE PEOPLE WITH HEART FAILURE ALREADY HAVE LIMITED HEART AND LUNG FUNCTION, THE SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY EVEN A SMALL PULMONARY EMBOLISM ARE MORE NOTICEABLE. INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE. BOWEL DISEASES, SUCH AS CROHN'S DISEASE OR ULCERATIVE COLITIS, INCREASE THE RISK OF DVT. ‘A PERSONAL OR FAMILY HISTORY OF DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS OR PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE). IF YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY HAS HAD DVT OR PE BEFORE, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP DVT. AGE. BEING OVER AGE 60 INCREASES YOUR RISK OF DVT, THOUGH IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY AGE. SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, SUCH AS WHEN DRIVING OR FLYING. WHEN YOUR LEGS REMAIN STILL FOR MANY HOURS, YOUR CALF MUSCLES DON'T CONTRACT, WHICH NORMALLY HELPS BLOOD CIRCULATE. BLOOD CLOTS CAN FORM IN THE CALVES OF YOUR LEGS IF YOUR CALF MUSCLES AREN’Complications Pulmonary embolism A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel in your lung becomes blocked by a blood clot (thrombus) that travels to your lungs from another part of your body, usually your leg. A pulmonary embolism can be fatal. So, it's important to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism and seek medical attention if they occur. Signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include: Unexplained sudden onset of shortness of breath Chest pain or discomfort that worsens when you take a deep breath or when you cough Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or fainting Rapid pulse Coughing up bloodPostphlebitic syndrome Acommon complication that can occur after deep vein thrombosis is a condition known as postphlebitic syndrome, also called postthrombotic syndrome. This syndrome is used to describe a collection of signs and symptoms, including: Swelling of your legs (edema) Leg pain Skin discoloration Skin sores This syndrome is caused by damage to your veins from the blood clot. This damage reduces blood flow in the affected areas. The symptoms of postphlebitic syndrome may not occur until a few years after the DVT.Tests and diagnosis ‘Ultrasound. A wand-like device (transducer) placed over the part of your body where there's a clot sends sound waves into the area. As the sound waves travel through your tissue and reflect back, a computer transforms the waves into a moving image on a video screen. A clot may be visible in the image. “Sometimes a series of ultrasounds are done aver several days to determine whether a blood clot is growing or to be sure a new one hasn't developed. “Blood test. Almost all people who develop severe deep vein thrombosis have an elevated blood level of a clot-dissolving substance called D dimer. *Venography. A dye (contrast agent) is injected into a large vein in your foot or ankle. An X-ray procedure creates an image of the veins in your legs and feet, to look for elots. However, less invasive methods of diagnosis, such as ultrasound, can usually confirm the diagnosis. *CT or MRI scans. Both computerized tomography (CT) sean and magnetic resonance imaging (MRD can provide visual images of your veins and may show if you have a clot. Sometimes a clot is found when these scans are performed for other reasons.Treatments and drugs Deep vein thrombosis treatment is aimed at preventing the clot from getting any bigger, as well as preventing the clot from breaking loose and causing a pulmonary embolism. After that, the goal becomes reducing your chances of deep vein thrombosis happening again. *Deep vein thrombosis treatment options include: +Blood thinners. Medications used to treat deep vein thrombosis inelude the use of anticoagulants, also sometimes called blood thinners, whenever possible. These are drugs that decrease your blood's ability to clot. While they don't break up existing blood clots, they can prevent clots from getting bigger or reduce your risk of developing additional clots. Usually, you'll first be given a shot or infusion of the blood thinner heparin for a few days. After starting heparin injections, your treatment may be followed by another injectable blood thinner, such as enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin) or fondaparinux (Arixtra). Other blood thinners can be given in pill form, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Newer blood thinners also may offer additional options in the near future. You may need to take blood thinners for three months or longer. If you're prescribed any of these blood can have serious sic ‘You i need ee blood tests to check how 8 it ee ‘blood to clot. ae women shoulda’Clotbusters. If you have a more serious type of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or if other medications aren't working, your doctor may prescribe different medications. One group of medications is known as thrombolytics. These drugs, called tissue plasminogen activators (TPA), are given through an IV line to break up blood clots or may be given through a catheter placed directly into the clot. These drugs can cause serious bleeding and are generally used only in life-threatening situations. For these reasons, thrombolytic medications are only given in an intensive care ward of a hospital. Filters. If you can't take medicines to thin your blood, a filter may be inserted into a large vein — the vena cava — in your abdomen. A vena cava filter prevents clots that break loose from lodging in your lungs. Compression stockings. These help prevent swelling associated with deep vein thrombosis. These stockings are worn on your legs from your feet to about the level of your knees. ‘This pressure helps reduce the chances that your blood will pool and clot. You should wear these stockings during the day for at least two to three years if possible. CompressionLifestyle and home remedies Once you receive treatment for deep vein thrombosis you need to watch your diet and look for signs of excessive bleeding, as well as take steps to help prevent another DVT. Some things you can do include: Check in with your doctor regularly to see if your medication or treatments need to be modified. If you're taking, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), you'll need a blood test to see how well your blood is clotting. ‘Take your blood thinners as directed. If you've had DVT, you'll be on blood thinners for at least three to six ‘months. Watch how much vitamin K you're eating if you are taking warfarin. Vitamin K can affeet how warfarin works. Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K. Check with your doctor or a dietitian about your diet if you're taking warfarin, Be on the lookout for excessive bleeding, which can be a side effect of taking medications such as blood thinners. Talk to your doctor about activities that could cause you to bruise or get cut, as even a minor injury could become serious if you're taking blood thinners. Move. if you've been on bed rest, because of surgery or other factors, the sooner you get moving, the less likely blood lots will develop. Wear compression stockings to help prevent blood clots in the legs if your doctor recommends them.Prevention To prevent deep vein thrombosis, some common preventive measures include the following: Take any prescribed medications as directed. If you're having surgery, such as orthopedic surgery, you'll probably be given blood thinners while you're in the hospital. Your doctor may also prescribe aspirin or other medications that help prevent clots to be taken for a while after surgery. Avoid sitting still. If you've had surgery or have been on bed rest for other reasons, try to get moving as soon as possible. If you're sitting for a while, try not to cross your legs because this can limit blood flow. If you're traveling a long distance by car, stop every hour or so and walk around. Ifyou're on a plane, try to stand or walk occasionally. If you can’t do that, at least try to exercise your lower legs. Try raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, then raising your toes while your heels are on the floor. Make lifestyle changes. Lose weight and quit smoking. Obesity and smoking increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis. Get regular exercise. Exercise lowers your risk of blood clots, which is especially important for people who have to sit a lot or travel frequently.