Recognizing symptoms of thrombosis can avoid complications

The vascular and interventional radiologist Elisabeth Cruces, a specialist at the Doctor Balmis General University Hospital (Alicante), has warned of the importance of recognizing the symptoms of thrombosis and going to the emergency room immediately to avoid potentially irreversible complications. The thrombosisone of the leading causes of illness and death in the worldoccurs when a blood clot partially or completely blocks a vein or artery and prevents blood from circulating normally. It can be presented as deep vein thrombosiswhich affects between one and two people per 1,000 inhabitants per year; or acutewhich is less common, but much more serious.

In any case, Cruces has insisted that performing a rapid diagnosis by imaging and early intervention from it can make the differencesince clots can evolve quickly and have very serious consequences if you do not act in time. The spokesperson for the Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI) has detailed that The most common symptoms are sudden swelling of a leg or armthe pain, the feeling of tightness or heaviness and skin changes, such as warmth or redness.

Additionally, if the clot travels to the lung and causes a pulmonary embolismmay appear shortness of breath, chest pain, sudden cough with or without blood, dizziness or loss of consciousness. When the thrombus affects a cerebral artery and causes a strokewarning signs include sudden loss of strength or tenderness in a part of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding, visual disturbances, or a very severe headache and different from the usual ones. In the case of the obstruction arterial in the legsacute arterial ischemia usually manifests with sudden, severe pain, coldness, paleness, or loss of mobility or sensation in the extremity.

Some permanent consequences

The doctor has emphasized that delaying medical attention can lead to permanent consequences. For example, in deep vein thrombosis, patients may develop post-thrombotic syndrome or chronic venous insufficiency. Likewise, not treating a pulmonary embolism in time can lead to patient death or leave sequelae such as chronic pulmonary hypertensionas detailed by the specialist.

If the thrombus causes a ictusconsequences may include mobility, speech or memory difficulties. When acute arterial ischemia occurs in the lower extremities and action is not taken quickly, the risk can reach death. amputation. For all this, Cruces has asserted that “The key is to recognize the symptoms and go urgently to a health center”.

Different ways to treat thrombosis

Cruces has pointed out that anticoagulation and antiaggregation are the basis of thrombosis treatmentbut has highlighted the “key” role of vascular and interventional radiology (IVR) in certain situations, such as cases of deep vein thrombosis with a large clot or when there is a risk of pulmonary embolism. “In these cases, a vena cava filter to prevent the thrombus that originates in the legs from reaching the lungs“he explained. These procedures are also used when the patient cannot receive anticoagulants.

For pulmonary thromboembolism with large clots or intermediate-high risk that compromises cardiac function, it has been specified that endovascular treatment allows for faster recovery and reduces the risk of chronic pulmonary hypertension. RVI treatments are also used in arterial thrombosis, in which Time “is decisive” because the clot blocks blood flow to vital organssuch as the brain, kidneys or intestines, or towards the extremities, and tissues can be damaged very quickly. Restoring circulation as soon as possible “is essential to avoid permanent damage”Cruces pointed out.

The interventional treatments are minimally invasive and allow remove clots without open surgerywhich reduces prolonged hospital stays and the risk of long-term sequelae. The two techniques used are thrombectomywhich consists of introducing a catheter through a vein or artery to directly aspirate or extract the thrombus; and the catheter-directed thrombolysiswhich allows the clot to be dissolved by administering the medication just inside it, instead of by general route.