Thromboembolism
Description
- As the name implies, a thromboembolism is a clot (thrombus) or foreign body that blocks vessels a distance away from its original site of origin.
- The most significant sites of thromboembolic formation are the following: lungs, CNS, terminal aorta, kidneys.
Requirements for thromboembolism formation:
1. Disruption of endothelial integrity
2. Disruption of flow
3. Disruption of blood haemostasis
4. Disruption of fibrinolysis
The incidence of thromboembolism greatly increases with certain diseases including:
-Heart Disease
-Neoplasia
-Blood Disorders
-Parasitic Diseases
-Hyperadrenocorticism
Diagnosis
History & Clinical Signs
5 P's:
-Pain
-Paresis
-Pallor
-Pulselessness
-Polar (cold extremities)
Long Term Effects:
-Necrosis
Specific Problems:
- Signs are dependant on site of thromboembolism
-Neurological problems (acute)
-Renal Failure (acute)
-Dyspnoea (acute)
Laboratory Findings
- Heavily dependent on thromboembolic site
-Hyperkalemia
-Acidosis
-Increased Lactate
-Azotemia
-Elevated serum creatine phospohokinase
Radiography, Echocardiography, Angiography
-Clots may be seen by the above methods
Treatment
-Treat underlying conditions
-Pain Relief (e.g. morphine)
-Support with IV fluids
-Anticoagulants:
1. Heparin
2. Aspirin
Prognosis
-Grave
Literature Search
Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).
Feline thromboembolism. Moïse, N. S.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 22, Orlando, Florida, USA, 2008, 2008, pp 229-232 - Full Text Article