Venous Thrombosis

Thrombosis is a vascular disease in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms within a vessel. Although thrombosis can manifest in all vessels, it usually refers to venous thrombosis (phlebothrombosis).

Symptoms

Depending on the location, type, and extent of the thrombosis, symptoms can vary, and some thromboses are not even noticed by the affected individuals. A particularly critical diagnostic fact is that even severe thromboses leading to embolism proceed asymptomatically at first and therefore may remain undetected.

Typical signs of pronounced thrombosis include:

-swelling and a feeling of warmth in the affected part of the body;

-reddened and taut skin, sometimes taking on a bluish hue;

-a feeling of tension and pain in the legs, calves, and popliteal fossa (relieved when the legs are elevated).

Causes

There are three main causes of thrombosis (Virchow's triad).

Disturbances in blood coagulation (hypercoagulation – increased coagulability):

-genetically determined or drug-induced increased coagulability;

-genetically determined or drug-induced reduced ability to dissolve blood clots;

-certain food products or toxins that affect coagulation;

-pregnancy;

-dehydration.

All situations that can potentially lead to a slowing of blood flow (congestion, stasis).

-dilated veins (varicose veins);

-limbs compressed by external pressure;

-inability to move freely caused by bed rest (after surgery or in a cast);

-prolonged sitting with limited movement (traveling by bus, airplane) in the presence of risk factors.

Damage to the internal walls (intima) of the vessels.

-damage of traumatic origin (wounds, contusions, surgeries);

-degenerative changes (for example, with age);

-diabetes;

-damage to the walls caused by smoking (via carbon monoxide) is also discussed.

Therapy

First and foremost, to prevent embolism (blockage), various blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants) are administered. Restoring unobstructed blood flow also has a positive effect. Medicinal thrombolysis (dissolving the thrombus) is used in exceptional cases due to a very high risk of bleeding. Surgical removal of the thrombus also occurs in special cases.