Thrombophlebitis

• Thrombus = related to blood clots

• Phlebitis = vein inflammation

Some signs and symptoms

• Pain in the affected area

• Redness in the area

• Inflammation

• Edema

• Some times fever and chills

Thrombophlebitis

• This is a clot that occurs in different areas of the body.

• They can either be deep or superficial veins

• Mostly in the legs.

• Also know as “white leg”

Blood flow

• Is very fast in the upper extremities

• Is not that great in the lower extremities

• Needs helps from the calf and thigh

• Takes even longer when the patient is up right

Superficial

• In the case of a superficial clots mostly attach firmly to the wall of the effected vessel.

• Since they are close to the surface of the skin, there is not much muscle they usually stay where they form.

• They seldom break loose

Deep

• A clot in a vein deep in the body.

• Has the potential to become a emboli, because the muscle works them loose.

• They can block blood supply.

• Mostly as a PE

Virchow’s triad

• Venous stasis• Injury to the vessel

wall• A hypercoagulable

state• States that these thing

have to be present for clots

• Vaircose veins

Some causes

• Prolonged sitting

• Superficial thrombophlebitis

• DVT(deep vein thrombosis)

• Lung cancer

• IV sites

• Blood clotting disorders

• Strokes

Treatment

• BE ACTIVE• Elevate the legs• Warm cloths• Drugs• Support socks• NSAIDS• Drink lots of water• Salicylates (natural blood thinners)

Some Drugs

• Coumadin

• Plavix

• Heparin

• Jantoven

Salicylates

• Curry Powder• Cayenne pepper• Ginger• Thyme• Dill• Licorice• Peppermint• Most fruit• Wine• Honey

Why bronchial carcinoma(lung cancer)

• Thrombophlebitis migrans can be a non-metastatic manifestation of this type of lung cancer.

• The blood clots is a secondary effect to lung cancer.

• AND THIS COULD BE A TEST QUESTION

Tid Bit of info

The first reference to peripheral venous disease was recorded on the Ebers papyrus in 1550 BC and documented the potential fatal hemorrhage that may ensue from surgery on varicose veins. In 1644, Schenk first observed venous thrombosis when he described an occlusion in the inferior vena cava. In 1846, Virchow recognized the association between venous thrombosis in the legs and PE. Heparin was only introduced to clinical practice in 1937. Over the last 25 years, considerable progress has been made in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of DVT.

My sources

Emergency Medicine

(6th edition)

www.Wikipedia.com

www.webMD.com

www.answers.com

www.Radiologychannel.com