Thrombosis pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pathophysiology
Rudolf Virchow noted several factors affecting the clot formation, which are as follows:
1) Alterations in blood flow (stasis): Blood flows throughout the circulatory system, without significantly stopping or slowing any where. In certain pathological conditions where the blood flow slows down or stops, it causes:
- Increase in platelet to endothelium contact
- Decrease the dilution of clotting factors
This increases the risk of clot formation and form microthrombi, which further grow and propagate.
2) Injury to the vascular endothelium: Intrinsic or secondary to external trauma (eg, catheterization) can cause intimal damage and stimulates clot formation. See Coagulation.
3) Alterations in the constitution of blood (hypercoagulability): It is the propensity to develop thrombosis due to an abnormality in the system of coagulation.
These three conditions are collectively known as Virchow's triad and lead to intravascular coagulation, forming a mass of red blood cells, leukocytes, and fibrin.
This video explains the process of thrombosis:
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