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What is thrombosis?
Thrombosis is the presence of a blood
clot within an artery or vein. This blood clot has the potential to break away
from an artery or vein and either partially or completely block the flow of
blood to a particular area of the body. Depending upon the area of blockage,
this can result in a variety of debilitating or fatal conditions, including
stroke and heart attack.
How does a blood clot occur?
When the flow of blood slows
down, usually due to inactivity, illness, or injury, the blood may collect in a
small pool. If this pool of blood hardens or coagulates, a blood clot forms.
Thrombus formation can also occur from a condition known as endothelial
dysfunction. This causes a disruption in the integrity of the inner walls of
blood vessels, and is usually associated with high blood pressure and/or
diabetes.
How is a blood clot detected?
Blood clots are difficult
to detect, as they often do not cause any symptoms. Doctors will often look for
a blood clot following a surgical procedure (especially a knee or hip
replacement surgery). If your doctor suspects that you may have a blood clot, he
or she will order any of the following tests to make the diagnosis:
- Doppler Ultrasound
- Angiography
- Computed Topography (CT) Scan, especially if they
suspect a clot in the lungs
- Ventilation-Perfusion Scan (Nuclear lung scan) if clot is suspected
What are the treatment options for a blood clot?
To treat
a thrombosis, your physician may prescribe medications or perform specific
procedures. Much of the treatment depends upon the severity of the blood
clot.
Medications
There are three types of medications your
doctor may prescribe:
- Anti-Coagulants weaken blood clots and prevent them
from expanding in size
- Thrombolytic Agents dissolve blood clots, and are
generally prescribed for larger, more dangerous clots; the most common
thrombolytics are TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) and TNK (a newer version
of TPA)
- Antiplatelet Agents are preventive drugs, and work to avoid new clot
formation
Various therapies and procedures can also destroy blood clots. These are
described below.
Intravenous (IV) Therapy
Thrombolytic Therapy:
Thrombolytic agents, such as streptokinase or TPA, can be given intravenously
(IV) to dissolve larger clots in the blood vessels. Thrombolytic therapy
requires hospitalization to 1) administer the IV drug and 2) monitor patients
for complications usually related to excessive bleeding.
Procedures
Patients who cannot tolerate anti-coagulant
medications due to allergies or excessive bleeding, or who develop a pulmonary
embolism, may require a minimally invasive procedure to destroy a blood clot.
These procedures are:
Thrombectomy (Embolectomy)
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