Complications of Thrombosis and Peripheral Vascular Disease

Thrombosis can lead to severe complications in cardiovascular disease (CVD). A thrombus, or blood clot, may break loose and travel through the bloodstream as an embolus, potentially blocking a blood vessel and depriving tissues of oxygen.

Highlight: The location of a thrombus determines the type of complication that may occur. For instance, a thrombus in a coronary artery can lead to a heart attack, while one in a brain artery can cause a stroke.

Peripheral vascular disease is another significant aspect of CVD pathology. It involves the narrowing of arteries outside the heart and brain due to atherosclerosis.

Example: In peripheral vascular disease affecting the legs, patients may experience pain in their leg muscles due to limited oxygen supply, a condition known as intermittent claudication.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a particularly dangerous form of thrombosis that occurs in deep veins, most commonly in the legs. If a DVT breaks off, it can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Vocabulary: An embolus is a blood clot that has broken free from its original location and is traveling through the bloodstream.

These complications highlight the importance of early detection and management of CVD to prevent serious outcomes.

Pathology of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

The pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD) primarily involves two key processes: atherosclerosis and thrombosis. These conditions significantly impact the health of blood vessels and can lead to serious complications.

Definition: Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fatty material, mainly cholesterol, fibrous material, and calcium, under the endothelium of blood vessels, forming an atheroma or plaque.

As atherosclerosis progresses, the artery walls thicken and lose elasticity, reducing the lumen diameter. This restriction in blood flow results in increased blood pressure and can lead to various cardiovascular diseases such as angina, heart attacks, and strokes.

Highlight: Atherosclerosis is the root cause of many cardiovascular diseases, affecting blood flow and organ function throughout the body.

Thrombosis, another critical aspect of CVD pathology, involves the formation of blood clots. When atheromas rupture, they damage the endothelium and release clotting factors, initiating the clotting cascade.

Vocabulary: Prothrombin is an inactive precursor that is converted to thrombin, which then converts fibrinogen into fibrin threads.

These fibrin threads form a meshwork that platelets adhere to, creating a clot. While this process is essential for wound healing, it can be dangerous in the context of CVD.

Example: In a healthy scenario, clot formation helps create a scaffold for new tissue to form during wound healing. However, in CVD, this same process can lead to dangerous blockages in blood vessels.