Venous Thromboembolism Overview

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What are the two main types of clots identified in the pathophysiology of vascular disease?

  • Black clots and yellow clots
  • White clots and red clots (correct)
  • White clots and blue clots
  • Red clots and blue clots

Which type of clot is primarily associated with high-pressure conditions?

  • Arterial clots (correct)
  • Red clots
  • Venous clots
  • Lymphatic clots

What type of agents are primarily used for the treatment of 'red clots'?

  • Vasodilators
  • Thrombolytic agents
  • Anticoagulant agents (correct)
  • Antiplatelet agents

Which of the following best describes 'white clots'?

<p>Rich in platelets (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which vascular condition is NOT associated with venous thromboembolism?

<p>Coronary artery disease (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

<p>Clots in the pulmonary circulation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes Virchow’s Triad?

<p>Venous stasis, vessel wall injury, and hypercoagulability (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic tool is NOT typically used for confirming a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

<p>Chest X-ray (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of D-dimer testing in patients suspected of thrombosis?

<p>To detect the degradation of fibrin clot (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which risk factor is NOT commonly associated with an increased risk for VTE?

<p>High physical activity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the case of MJ, what symptom is more characteristic of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rather than pulmonary embolism (PE)?

<p>Unilateral swelling (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following agents is a type of direct oral anticoagulant used for outpatient treatment?

<p>Apixaban (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is commonly associated with a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

<p>Tachycardia (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which anticoagulant agent is classified as a vitamin K antagonist?

<p>Warfarin (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary laboratory monitoring parameter for patients on warfarin therapy?

<p>PT/INR (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be monitored to determine the appropriate adjustment of anticoagulant therapy?

<p>Both laboratory results and clinical presentation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following anticoagulants is a Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC)?

<p>Dabigatran (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common adverse effect associated with heparin therapy?

<p>Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is recommended for the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

<p>Discontinue heparin and use alternative anticoagulants (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For what purpose are guidelines for antithrombotic therapy established?

<p>To provide evidence-based recommendations for thromboembolism prevention and treatment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consideration when administering anticoagulants?

<p>Potential drug interactions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the therapeutic anti-factor Xa range for unfractionated heparin (UFH) treatment?

<p>0.3 – 0.7 anti-factor Xa units/mL (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How should anti-factor Xa levels be monitored for low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)?

<p>4 hours after subQ dose administration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common adverse effect of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)?

<p>Bleeding (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of Unfractionated Heparin in anticoagulation?

<p>Accelerates the activity of antithrombin III (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dosing of Enoxaparin for the treatment of DVT/PE in people weighing less than 100 kg?

<p>1 mg/kg SubQ every 12hrs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which pharmacokinetic property describes the elimination of heparin?

<p>Both saturable enzymatic inactivation and non-saturable renal clearance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What parameter is NOT routinely monitored when administering heparin?

<p>Prothrombin time (PT) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the therapeutic aPTT goal for patients receiving Heparin?

<p>1.5-2.5 times control (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What adverse effect is associated with Heparin therapy?

<p>Bleeding (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the anti-factor Xa level is between 0.71 and 0.8 IU/mL?

<p>Hold the infusion for 1 hour (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) primarily exert its anticoagulant effect?

<p>By inactivating clotting factors such as Factor Xa (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When should aPTT be measured after initiating Heparin therapy?

<p>6 hours after dose adjustment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the pharmacokinetics of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)?

<p>It has a predictable response (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a pharmacologic agent used for VTE management?

<p>Furosemide (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the antidote for Heparin-related bleeding?

<p>Protamine sulfate (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the continuous infusion dosage of Heparin adjusted?

<p>Based on aPTT monitoring (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the half-life of Heparin in the body?

<p>30-150 minutes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment option is typically NOT included in the initial management of acute VTE?

<p>Oral vitamin K (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards are hidden until you start studying

Study Notes

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Overview

  • VTE includes venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE), frequently originating from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs.
  • DVT is characterized by clot formation in deep veins, while PE involves clots traveling to the lungs.

Risk Factors for VTE

  • Predisposing factors include immobility, malignancies, recent surgeries, trauma, use of estrogen, existing heart disease, and inherited coagulation disorders.

Virchow’s Triad

  • Consists of three components: venous stasis, vessel wall injury, and hypercoagulability, all contributing to thrombus formation.

Coagulation Cascade Agents

  • Multiple anticoagulation agents include Unfractionated Heparin (UFH), Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH), Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) like rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran.

Presentation & Symptoms

  • DVT symptoms: unilateral leg swelling, warmth, discoloration, pain, tenderness, with physical findings like Homan’s sign.
  • PE symptoms: includes shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, anxiety, tachycardia, and tachypnea.
  • Symptoms may be asymptomatic and non-specific actively require objective testing for confirmation.

Diagnosis

  • DVT diagnosis via Doppler ultrasound and venography.
  • PE diagnosis involves ECG, chest X-ray, arterial blood gas analysis, CT scans, V/Q scans, and pulmonary angiography.

D-Dimer Test

  • A degradation product of fibrin, sensitive for acute thrombosis but not specific; elevated in trauma, pregnancy, cancer, and other inflammatory processes.

Treatment Options

  • Acute management of VTE can involve parenteral agents like UFH or LMWH, with or without bridging to warfarin and the option of starting DOACs after a few days.
  • Pharmacologic treatments includes thrombolytics.

Unfractionated Heparin (UFH)

  • Acts by enhancing antithrombin III action on clotting factors, particularly thrombin (Factor IIa) and Factor Xa.
  • Immediate anticoagulation; elimination via renal clearance and enzymatic inactivation.

Adverse Effects of Heparin

  • Risks include bleeding (with protamine sulfate as antidote), thrombocytopenia, and osteoporosis.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)

  • More predictable and safer than UFH, it selectively inhibits Factor Xa more than Factor IIa.
  • Renal excretion impacts dosing; contraindicated in severe renal impairment.

Monitoring

  • Regular monitoring of aPTT and anti-factor Xa levels is crucial to manage heparin therapy.
  • Routine checks for platelet levels, hemoglobin/hematocrit, PT/aPTT to ensure safety and efficacy.

Case Example

  • A 58-year-old female presents with unilateral calf swelling post-hysterectomy, illustrating the real-world application of VTE knowledge.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand differences in anticoagulant efficacy, safety, monitoring, and management strategies for VTE.
  • Recognize heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and identify appropriate management approaches.

Guidelines and Resources

  • American Society of Hematology guidelines available for VTE management and detailed subtopics regarding anticoagulation therapy.
  • Multiple documents accessed for specific treatment protocols and evidence-based practices.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser