A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Category: Arterial clots

  • Top 10 Publications on Thrombosis and Anticoagulation from 2012

    Stephan Moll writes… 2012 has been a year with significant progress in the field of venous thromboembolism and anticoagulation.  The three most noteworthy, clinically relevant developments were probably (a) the publication of the new ACCP (American College of Chest Physician) guidelines on antithrombotic therapy in February 2012; (b)  The FDA-approval of rivaroxaban (Xarelto) in November 2012 for the acute…

  • Testosterone and Thrombosis

    Testosterone Replacement Therapy Replacement therapy with low doses of testosterone does not adversely affect blood coagulation status [ref 1] and does not appear to increase the risk of venous or arterial thrombosis. Thrombosis is not listed as a potential side effect in the commly used drug compendium (Micromedex). Furthermore, the 2006 “Clinical Practice Guideline” from the…

  • PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale)

    A discussion of PFO and paradoxical embolism, written for patients, is available on the Clot Connect Patient blog- connect here.  The health care professional can refer his/her patient to the information on PFO in that blog . The blog also contains images suitable for patients to understand the etiology of  paradoxical embolism:

  • PFO = Patent Foramen Ovale

    Anatomy Some people have a “hole in the heart”, called a “patent foramen ovale” (PFO). This is a connection between the right and the left chamber (atrium) of the heart. We are all born with it – the unborn needs this connection for proper blood circulation. In most people the hole closes in the first…

  • Unexplained Arterial Thrombosis – Causes, Thrombophilia Testing

    Causes The 2 main causes of arterial thromboembolism are certainly arteriosclerosis and atrial fibriallation. Only uncommonly do arterial clots occur in persons less than 40 or 50 years of age who do not have arteriosclerosis or atrial fibrillation.  Under these circumstances, a number of uncommon conditions, including  thrombophilias, should be considered and investigated (see table 1: Causes and work-up).

  • Unexplained Arterial Clots – Causes, Thrombophilia Testing

    Background, anatomy Arteries are the blood vessels that lead blood away from the heart into the periphery, i.e. to the extremities, the brain, the abdominal and pelvic organs. They deliver oxygen to organs and muscles. Veins lead the blood back to the heart, from where it flows into the lung to take up fresh oxygen.…