Venous Thromboembolism Flashcards
(146 cards)
Why is it important for pharmacists to understand VTE?
VTE is a major cause of morbidity & mortality
Causes more death than breast cancer, HIV, and motor vehicle accidents combined
50% attributed to hospitalization (esp. surgery)
–> 10% of hospital deaths due to PE
Describe venous circulation
Return blood to heart for re-oxygenation
Thinner walled than arteries
Elastic; variably widens as blood passes through
Lower shear rate than arteries
One-way valves close to prevent backflow
–> Damage here means static or pooling blood
What is a VTE? Where does it form commonly? Exception?
VTE is a formation of a blood clot that most often occurs as a deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities, or as a pulmonary embolism.
VTEs can less often occur in the upper extremities (UEDVT), the portal vein, the cerebral vein of the brain, and other venous locations.
What is the difference between a venous and arterial thrombus?
Venous thrombus (red clot):
Formed without damaging vessel wall
Held together by mostly fibrin, less platelet
Leads to VTE (DVT/PE)
Arterial thrombus (white clot):
Formed from rupture of atherosclerotic plaque
Held together by mostly platelets, less fibrin
Leads to ACS, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
What is a DVT and PE? What is the rates of the total VTE?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
–> Formation of a clot in a deep vein
~2/3 of VTEs
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
–> is a blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches by a substance that has travelled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream
–> a possible consequence of DVT
~1/3 of VTEs
Cause of VTE (simple)
Results from clot formation within venous circulation
Where does VTE usually develop?
Mainly develops in lower extremities
Majority in calf veins
Minority in arm, brain, GI tract, liver (rare often malignanacy or other cause)
One a venous clot has formed, the clot may then…..
Lyse
Obstruct venous circulation
Embolize
Combination
What is the central portion of the coagulation cascade?
Central to the coagulation cascade is the generation of thrombin (factor IIa)
Thrombin is made from prothrombin by factor Xa
Prothrombin => thrombin => fibrinogen => fibrin clot
Describe the coagulation cascade and where the drugs work?
Antithrombin (AT or AT-III) is a small protein molecule that inactivates several enzymes of the coagulation system.
It is one of the most important coagulation inhibitors; it controls the activities of thrombin, and factors IXa, Xa, XIa and XIIa
What is virchows triad?
What are some risk factor categories for VTE?
Circulatory Stasis
Vascular Damage
Hypercoagulability
Preganancy/Post-partum
Medications
Birth Control
The risk factor of circulatory stasis examples include:
Bed rest/immobility (prolonged)
–> Hospitalization
Heart failure (Class III-IV)
Varicose veins (controversy)
Atrial fibrillation
The risk factor of vascular damage examples include:
Previous VTE
Bacterial infection (sepsis)
Prosthetic implants
Peripheral vascular disease
Trauma
Surgery – watch those hips and knee’s
The risk factor of hypercoagulability examples include:
Medications (chemotx)
Use of oral contraceptives
Malignancy
Inherited thrombophilias
Advanced age >60 (>75)
Obesity – BMI >30? (>50)
Protein C or S deficiency
Smoking
The risk factor of pregnancy stats:
5-10x increase during pregnancy
15-35x risk during the early postpartum (6-12 weeks)
What medications are risk fcators for VTE?
Estrogen
SERMS (Tamoxifen/raloxifen)
Chemotherapy
Older antipsychotics
Erythropoietin
When should birth control be stopped in VTE?
Consider stopping OCP during a life threatening clot. But, no evidence to stop in acute clot because:
1) About to put her on a DOAC/warfarin that isn’t studied in pregnancy and could be unsafe
2) She may get heavy menstruation as on a blood thinner and OCP may be used to regulate heavy periods.
VTE often presents as….
ASYMPTOMATIC
What are some difficulties associated with VTE (simple)?
Symptoms are often non-specific
–> Diagnosis is difficult
–> Requires assessment of risk factors and lab / imaging tests
What are some sx of DVT?
Leg pain
Tenderness
Ankle edema
Calf swelling
Dilated veins
Dusky discolouration
Let Tony Ask Can Daddy D***
What are some symptoms of a PE?
Sudden, unexplained SoB
Tachypnea
Tachycardia
Unexplained chest pain / discomfort
Cough
Hemoptysis
Fever
Cyanosis
Syncope
Sense of impending doom
someonetell tony cole can hurt feelings, cole slays skies
What are some complications of a VTE?
Recurrence rates are high
Post-thrombotic syndrome
Venous ulcers
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
What is the tx of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS)?
Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS)
–> Chronic pain, swelling (edema), fatigue, and leg ulcers
Possible treatment: –> compression stockings
Ankle to knee (increase venous return)
30-40mmHG at ankle at onset of DVT
May decreases incidence of PTS