Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Flashcards
what is the prevalence of DVT annually in 1000 people?
1
after undergoing surgery, in what time period is the risk high of forming a VTE?
up to 6 weeks
state some risk factors for VTE
age trauma immobility travel obesity smoking cancer inherited disease pregnancy exogenous oestrogen
what are the three virchows triad ?
blood constituents
blood vessel damage
blood flow pattern
give two examples of VTE
PE
DVT
what are the symptoms of DVT?
Swollen, red, tender, warmth, discomfort, inflammation
what is a long term consequence of DVT and what are the symptoms?
Post-phlebitic syndrome
o Swelling - Increased pressure pushes blood to superficial veins
o Discomfort – especially towards the end of the day
o Pigmentation
o Ulceration
what are the common symptoms of PE?
pleuritic chest pain pleural rub on auscultation SOB haemoptysis tachycardia
what are the three outcomes of a PE?
resolution
pulmonary hypertension
left heart hypertrophy/failure
describe a venous thrombus
¥ ‘Red thrombus’ ~ fibrin and red cells
¥ Deep veins contain valves that increase stagnant blood flow
¥ Therefore, a more thrombotic environment
¥ Results in back pressure
¥ Principally due to stasis and hypercoagulability
Describe a arterial thrombus
¥ ‘White clot’ ~ platelets and fibrin
¥ Results in ischaemia and infarction
¥ Principally secondary to atherosclerosis (damage/injury to the vessel)
What a earth symptoms of a massive PE?
¥ Acute Severe dyspnoea ¥ Collapse ¥ Central cyanosis ¥ Tachycardia ¥ Low BP ¥ Raised JVP ¥ Altered heart sounds ¥ May cause sudden death
what two investigations can be done to find a diagnosis for DVT?
d dimer
compression ultra sound
What test is done to check if the patient should be treated or not
clinical probability test
what five investigations can be done for PE ?
d dimer compression ultrasound clinical assessment ventilation/perfusion scan CT pulmonary angiogram
