Veneuze Trombose I: Inleiding

Venous thrombosis occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, forms within a vein, partially or completely blocking blood flow.

A thrombus is an aggregate of platelets attached to the vein wall with a tail-like appendage containing white and red blood cells and fibrin. As the thrombus enlarges, it can block the vein's lumen.

Venous thrombosis can occur in any vein. Superficial vein thrombosis occurs in a superficial vein, such as a saphenous vein.

Conversely, deep vein thrombosis occurs in a deep vein, often in the femoral veins.

Venous thrombosis develops due to three key factors, known as Virchow’s triad.

First, venous stasis occurs when venous valves are dysfunctional or extremity muscles are inactive. It disrupts normal venous blood flow in conditions like obesity and atrial fibrillation.

Second, blood hypercoagulability in conditions like polycythemia and antithrombin deficiency raises the risk of thrombus development.

Third, endothelial damage from direct injuries like catheterization or trauma and indirect causes such as chemotherapy or sepsis stimulates platelet activation and initiates the coagulation cascade, leading to thrombus formation.