Thrombosis

Synonyms

Clotting

Definition

Thrombosis is the process by which a blood clot, or thrombus, is formed.

Current Knowledge

Thrombosis can occur in any organ or tissue. It is a normal physiological response to bleeding, and helps the body to avoid excessive hemorrhage. However, in certain clinical states, thrombosis causes disease or disability. In the carotid or intracerebral blood vessels, thrombosis can cause inadequate blood supply to the brain, resulting in a stroke. In the coronary arteries, thrombosis can cause a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle, leading to a myocardial infarction or other heart conditions. Pathological thrombosis in the venous system can cause a deep vein thrombosis, which can give rise to a fatal pulmonary embolism. A thrombus is stationary at the site of its development in the blood vessel, while an embolus is a clot that moves through the bloodstream. The three predisposing factors that give rise to thrombosis are stasis of blood, hypercoaguability, and...