Deep Vein Thrombosis Quiz

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

• Primary Cause: Development of blood clots in deep veins, most commonly the lower extremities.
• Virchow's Triad: Three factors contributing to DVT:
  • Venous Stasis: Reduced blood flow due to immobility (prolonged bed rest, long flights), heart failure, or obesity.
  • Endothelial Injury: Damage to the inner lining of veins from surgery, trauma, or medications.
  • Hypercoagulability: Increased tendency of blood to clot due to genetic mutations (like Factor V Leiden), pregnancy, oral contraceptives, or cancer.

Pathophysiology

• Venous Stasis: Prolonged inactivity allows blood to pool in lower extremities, reducing blood flow
• Endothelial Damage: Injury to the endothelium activates platelets and pro-coagulant factors.
• Thrombus Formation: Platelets stick to damaged endothelium, triggering a clot.
  • Thromboxane A2 promotes platelet aggregation.
  • Fibrinogen converts to fibrin: strengthening the clot.
• Clot Propagation: Growing clot can become dislodged, potentially causing pulmonary embolism (PE) via travel to the lungs.

Disease Transmission

• Not Transmissible: DVT is not communicable, arising from personal factors like lifestyle, genetics, and physiology.
• No direct transmission from one person to another.

Risk Factors

• Modifiable Risk Factors:
  • Immobility: Prolonged bed rest, long flights, or sitting for long periods.
  • Surgery/Trauma: Damage to veins during surgery increases clot risk.
• Non-Modifiable Risk Factors:
  • Age: Older adults are at higher risk due to lower mobility and venous insufficiency.
  • Genetics: Inherited thrombophilias (e.g., Factor V Leiden mutation, protein C/S deficiency, and Antithrombin III deficiency) increase DVT risk.
  • Medical Conditions: Heart failure, stroke, and paralysis-associated reduced mobility.

Additional Risk Factors (from page 2)

• Obesity: Increased venous pressure.
• Medications: Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increase clotting.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and abdominal pressure reduce venous return.
• Cancer: Certain types increase clotting factor production.

Test your knowledge on Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) with this quiz that covers causes, risk factors, and physiological concepts associated with the condition. Evaluate your understanding of modifiable and non-modifiable risks, as well as the mechanisms involved in DVT development. Perfect for medical students and health professionals alike.