DVT and Pulmonary Embolism Flashcards
what is DVT
deep vein thrombosis
pulmonary embolus
explain Virchow’s Triad of thrombosis
3 features that when found together often means thrombosis
hypercoagulability of blood- cancer, inflammatory disease
vesseel wall injury- inflammation, irritation
stasis of blood- immobility, venous obstructions
risk factors
obesity
higher age
immobilisation
dehydration
major surgery
testing for DVT with wells score
0-2 not likely
>2 DVT likely
factors such as- cancer, paralysis, swollen leg …etc
where and what to look for
looking for blockage of femoral vein(front of leg)
area will swell
become warm
pain
redness
how to scan DVT
using ultrasound at femoral vein(groin to calf)
can apply pressure to vein with probe to test if it is compressible
if not compressible DVT is likely
clinical features of pulmonary embolus(PE)
chest pain
SOB
tachycardia
syncope
wells score for PE
<4 - PE not likely
4-6- PE moderate likely
>6 PE likely
factors such as- surgery, immobilisation, previous DVT or PE, cancer, tachycardia
why test D-dimer levels
they are a fibrin product that increase in conc. when DVT or PE is present
but can also increase due to other factors so can give false positives
how to prevent DVT
compression boots
/stockings
mandatory assessments
give low molecular weight heparin
how does Enoxaparin prevent thrombosis
activates antithrombin
which prevents factor Xa
which presvents fibinogen to fibrin which is what clotting is made of so blood clots cant form
how do stockings prevent thrombosis
tightens legs so vein valves remain closed
which keeps blood flowing in one direction which prevents blood pools from forming and improves blood flow
treatment of DVT and PE
low molecular weight heparin- DVT and PE
thrombolysis- PE
thrombectomy- PE
