Thrombotic Disorders

The human body has a complex mechanism that causes blood to clot if a wound occurs. Under normal circumstances this is a desirable response that enables the body to heal itself, but under certain clinical conditions, called "thrombotic disorders", this same mechanism can cause an unwanted clot or "thrombus" that can be life threatening. These conditions are:

Atrial Fibrillation:
An abnormality in the heart rhythm, (i.e. irregular heartbeat) which can cause clots to form in the walls of the atria (heart).

Mechanical Heart Valves:
Surgical replacement of faulty heart valves with mechanical valves. The body can react to the "foreign" mechanical valve and start the clotting process.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction):
Heart muscle tissue damaged from a heart attack can cause clots to form within the heart.

Unstable Angina:
Chest discomfort and spasms due to inadequate supplies of oxygen to the heart caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries. These spasms help form unwanted blood clots.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT):
A deep vein within the muscle of the thigh, leg or pelvis that has formed a clot.

Pulmonary Embolism:
A clot that breaks off from the deep veins of the muscle and travels to the arteries of the lungs. This is referred to as an embolus.

Acute Ischemic Stroke:
A clot originating in another part of the body travels to the brain, causing a sudden loss of blood supply.

These conditions must be managed through the use of an oral anticoagulant, a drug which decreases the clotting ability of the blood so the unwanted clots are prevented.

Learn more about Oral Anticoagulants >>