Thrombus
See also: clot. Collection of platelets and other blood cells supported by a fibrin mesh. May be formed on catheters or guide wires in the vessels. The risk of thrombus formation on catheters increases significantly with long catheterisation times. Thrombi form to repair injured areas in the vessel wall. Thrombus masses may dislodge and, carried by the blood stream, block distant vessels (thromboembolism).
Thrombus formation may occur in any blood vessel. Particularly frequent in vessels with poor blood flow, e.g. in veins in immobilised patients after surgery, where pulmonary embolism is a feared complication. Thrombus formation can be an acute complication of atherosclerosis (see also plaque) . Patients with certain diseases, e.g. cancer may have an increased tendency to thrombus formation. Adequate and well-controlled anticoagulant treatment is the only protection against thrombus formation.
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