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The Hidden Power of the Blood: What Are Thrombotic Disorders and Why Are They So Dangerous?
Thrombotic disorders, also known as hypercoagulable states or prothrombotic states, refer to an abnormal clotting state that greatly increases the risk of thrombosis (blood clots within blood vessels). This abnormality is usually found in 50% of patients with thrombosis, most of whom develop the disease without other triggering factors.
Most people who have detectable thrombotic abnormalities will not develop a blood clot unless other risk factors are present.
Symptoms and Signs
The most common manifestations of thrombotic disease include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), which are collectively referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE). DVT usually occurs in the legs and causes pain, swelling, and redness of the limb. If a blood clot breaks off and migrates to the lungs, it may cause sudden shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations, and even lead to serious consequences such as shock and cardiac arrest.
In addition, blood clots may occur in unusual locations such as the brain, liver, and kidneys, posing further health risks. Recent studies suggest that some inherited thrombotic disorders may increase the risk of developing blood clots in the arteries, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Thrombotic disorders may also cause a variety of complications in pregnant women, including recurrent miscarriage and intrauterine growth restriction.
Reason
Thrombotic diseases can be divided into two categories: congenital and acquired. Congenital thrombotic disorders are usually inherited, whereas acquired ones are those that develop later in life.
Congenital
The most common congenital thrombotic disorders involve conditions in which coagulation factors are overactive, with Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A being common mutations. These conditions may not cause immediate problems, but in some cases they can lead to blood clots.
Acquired
The risk of blood clots may be increased by a variety of acquired factors, such as antiphospholipid syndrome, tumors, obesity, pregnancy, and taking certain hormonal contraceptives. These conditions may lead to slower blood flow or overproduction of clotting factors, increasing the likelihood of developing the disease.
Pregnancy increases the risk of thrombosis by 2 to 7 times, probably because of the physiological hypercoagulable state during this period of pregnancy.
Diagnosis and screening
Screening for thrombotic disorders usually includes a complete blood count, clotting time test, and other related tests. Although there is disagreement as to whether thrombotic testing should be performed for all unprovoked thrombotic events, screening is reasonable in selected patients with repeated thrombotic events or a strong family history.
TreatmentWhile there is no specific treatment for most thrombotic disorders, long-term anticoagulation may be necessary for recurrent thrombotic events. Treatment options include anticoagulants such as warfarin; however, their use requires careful consideration of the risk of bleeding.
The risk of thrombosis usually depends not only on the presence of a thrombotic disease, but is also affected by multiple factors, including the extent of the original thrombosis, whether it was induced, and other health conditions.
As our understanding of thrombotic diseases improves, our strategies for treating and managing these conditions are also evolving. Considering the potential threat of thrombosis, should we conduct more in-depth research and preventive measures on thrombotic diseases?
