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Thrombophlebits. Nick Myhre. What is it?. "Thrombo" means "clot.“ “Phlebitis” is inflammation of a vein
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Thrombophlebits Nick Myhre
What is it? • "Thrombo" means "clot.“ • “Phlebitis” is inflammation of a vein • Thrombophlebitis occurs when a blood clot causes inflammation in one or more of your veins, typically in your legs. On rare occasions, thrombophlebitis can affect veins in your arms or neck. • Thrombophlebitis can be superficial or deep.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis May present with contusion in area of clot with hardening of the vein.
IV Phlebitis • IV catheters can cause same effect as superficial thrombophlebitis IV catheters can become inflamed, and can veins harden. • Trauma to a vein can also present the same way.
Deep Vein Thrombosis • DVT is when a clot gets lodged in a vein in a deep muscle. These are more a serious health issue. DVTs can result in an embolism which can result in Pulmonary Embolism.
Complications associated with Not Good
Complications Cont. • As noted earlier pulmonary embolism is possibility by dislodging a DVT. • A large enough clot can cause a heart attack. • Also can cause a stroke.
Signs and Symptoms • Varicose veins- the pooling of blood can lead to ballooning of the veins, resulting in varicose veins. • Swelling- In some cases, the pooling may become so bad that the leg swells (edema). • Skin discoloration- with chronic swelling and increased pressure on the skin, discoloration called stasis pigmentation may occur. In some cases, skin ulcers may develop.
PMHx • Pt that are inactive for a long period of time, such as from sitting in a car or an airplane • Pt confined to bed for a long time, like after surgery, heart attack or a leg fracture • Pt with cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, that may cause an increase of procoagulants — substances necessary for blood clotting (coagulation) — in your blood • Pt that had a stroke that resulted in paralysis of your arms or legs • Pt with pacemakers or have a thin, flexible tube (catheter) in a central vein, for treatment of a medical condition, which may irritate the blood vessel wall and decrease blood flow
PMHx Cont • Pregnant pts or postpartum, which means they have increased pressure in the veins of your pelvis and legs • Use oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, which may increase the clotting factors in the blood • Family Hx of a blood-clotting disorder or a tendency of blood clots • Overweight or obese • Pt with varicose veins — clots may develop in dilated superficial veins (varicose veins), causing superficial thrombophlebitis • Are a smoker
Treatment for Us • Prehospital treatment is basically O2, establish an IV, and transport to appropriate facility. If thrombophlebitis becomes more than reddening and swelling, such as an embolism, support affected system.
Hospital Treatment • Compression Socks- prevent recurrent swelling, and reduces chances of new forming DVT • Medications such as Coumadin • If not a candidate for medications, filters can be installed in inferior vena cava. • Varicose vein stripping, removing the problem area for good. • Bypass around occluded veins.
Prevention • KEEP MOVING • Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration • If your forced to sit for hours, flex the calves, move the legs a few times an hour • Stay away from constrictive waist bands.
Bibliography • http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/adam/images/en/deep-venous-thrombosis-ileofemoral-picture.jpg • http://www.os.co.za • www.mayoclinic.com