Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Pathology

What is VTE?00:00:08

Venous thromboembolism, or VTE, is a leading cause of death globally. In Western countries, someone develops VTE every 16 seconds. It manifests as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Formation of Blood Clots00:00:23

The disease often begins in large leg veins with the formation of a blood clot. This can be caused by vessel wall injuries, increased blood coagulability, or circulation deficits like venostasis. The clot consists mainly of red blood cells held together by fibrin strands.

Pulmonary Embolism00:00:52

Fragile clots can break away, travel through the bloodstream and heart, and block a pulmonary artery in the lungs, leading to pulmonary embolism. This renders the affected lung area unable to oxygenate blood, a life-threatening outcome caused by an inappropriately triggered blood coagulation process.

Risk Factors for VTE00:01:37

Various medical conditions are associated with disrupted blood coagulation and an increased risk of VTE. Immobility increases the risk of hypercoagulability and venostasis. Patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery, like hip or knee replacement, also face an additional risk of vascular injury.