Thrombosis
Formation of a blood clot within the vascular system
Occurs normally in response to hemorrhage
May lead to:
What do you do if you suspect a DVT or PE
Assess clinical likelihood
For DVT what if low likelihood?
For PE what if not high likelihood?
Get D-Dimer
If normal D-Dimer?
No DVT or No PE
If High D-dimer or high likelihood of DVT or PE?
Imaging test needed
DVT symptoms
- Massive- marked thigh swelling and tenderness during palpation of the common femoral vein
Pulmonary embolism symptoms
Dyspnea
Tachypnea
Massive- dyspnea, syncope, hypotension, cyanosis
Small embolism- pleuritic pain, cough, hemoptysis
What DVT imaging test should you get?
Venous Ultrasound
Venous Ultrasound Diagnostic?
STOP
For PE, treat for PE
Venous Ultrasound Nondiagnostic?
Get for DVT:
MRI
CT
Phelbography
Get for PE:
Transesophageal ECHO
MRI
Invasive pulmonary angiography
What PE imaging test should you get?
Chest CT
Chest CT Diagnostic?
STOP
Chest CT Nondiagnostic, unavailable or unsafe?
Get a Lung Scan
Lung Scan Diagnostic?
STOP
Lung Scan Nondiagnostic?
Get Venous ultrasound
What is Virchow’s triad
Risk factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Previous thromboembolism
Age greater than 60 years or over 40 undergoing major operation
Major trauma
Prolonged immobilization (greater than 3 days)
Major orthopedic surgery
Major medical illness like CAD, HF, sepsis
Malignant disease
Hypercoagulable condition
Preventing DVT
Multiple methods alone or in combination:
Ambulation
Compression stockings
Intermittent pneumatic compression
Anticoagulants
Risk factors for Pulmonary Embolism
Same as DVT
Acute PE: Immobilization Surgery within the prior 3 months Stroke Paresis Paralysis Central venous instrumentation in prior 3 months Malignancy Chronic heart disease Autoimmune diseases History of venous thromboembolism For women- obesity, heavy cigarette smoking and hypertension
What are the Indirect thrombin inhibitors
Heparin Sodium
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
MOA of Heparin Sodium/Unfractionated Heparin (UFH)
Causes a conformational change in antithrombin so that it can better pick up Factor Xa and thrombin
MOA of Enoxaparin (Lovenox) or Low Molecular Weight Heparins
Causes a conformational change in antithrombin so that it can better pick up only Factor Xa
Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
Causes a conformational change in antithrombin so that it can better pick up only Factor Xa
Heparin Sodium Indications
- An anticoagulant for extracorporeal and dialysis procedures