Thrombosis

Thrombosis is the formation of a clot or thrombus inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. Thromboembolism is a general term describing both thrombosis and its main complication: dislodgement of a clot and embolisation.

Causes

Classically, thrombosis is caused by abnormalities in one or more of the following (Virchow's triad):

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• The composition of the blood
• Quality of the vessel wall
• Nature of the blood flow

The formation of a thrombus is usually caused by an injury to the vessel's wall, either by trauma or infection, and by the slowing or stagnation of blood flow past the point of injury. Occasionally, abnormalities in coagulation are to blame.

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Intravascular coagulation follows, forming a structureless mass of red blood cells, leukocytes, and fibrin.

Related Topics:
Coagulation - Red blood cell - Leukocyte - Fibrin

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